More stink up on TF Snapper's operation
Iloilo City -- So who did the illegal acts after all? The fishers or government agents?
Such were the questions awaiting answers in the city's illegal fishing campaign following major blows met by the Task Force Snapper mandated to keep watch of said crime. Same questions that Councilor Ely Estante, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Aquatic and Natural Resources vowed to answer as the week opens with a full-blown probe on the matter.
Key figures in the Task Force primarily its chairman, City Agriculturist Jose Gil Parreñas and arresting team members came under intense media attacks amidst complaints from suspected illegal fishers.
With two major big-time Task Force operations in the past week, allegations of irregularity and wrongful arrests came to view. Foremost of the controversy now is focused on the handling of the confiscated fish, the value running up to hundreds of thousands of pesos. One apprehended fishing boat crew questioned the Task Force's decision to give out its fish catch while yet another has since been cleared by no less than the City Prosecutor's office of the illegal fishing charge.
Such, as inconsistencies were noted and made public on how much the Task Force actually gave out to beneficiaries alongside concerns on the apparent discretion used in choosing who will get what.
Estante decided to investigate even as he vowed to institute reforms on the Task Force's operations.
In a report, The News Today learned inconsistencies were also noted in the report made of actual delivery and receipt of the confiscated fish catch. While some admitted to have indeed received, the number of kilos as reported and reflected does not match when Estante verified.
For instance, Gawad Kalinga as per report of the City Agriculturist supposedly was given 114 kilos on the first delivery and 394 kilos on the second delivery. In a letter, Estante was told by Gawad Kalinga's Management Head that no such delivery was made "except one piece with approximate 4-5 kilos in weight given to one of our caretakers."
"As far as our office, the Gawad Kalinga Management Board and our partner the Archdiocese of Jaro is concerned, we were not able to receive or have been a recipient of the alleged 508 kilos dynamite fishes," the letter signed by Peter Tiu further went. "Gawad Kalinga has no knowledge and responsibility regarding that matter."
Yet more questions instead of answers in the official reply of Police Inspector Dande Deocampo, Police Precint 1 Commander. Yes they got some fish but no, the number of kilos was not really known with the fish received by PP1 from Romulo Pangantihon of Task Force Snapper about 5:30 pm last March 15th.
As per report of the City Agriculturist to Estante, PP1 jail and ICMG jail supposedly received some 170 kilos.
Estante is set to deliver a privilege speech Wednesday to disclose his initial probe results and corresponding action in aid of legislation.