Bantay Dagat nabs 6 illegal fishing vessels in Batad
Iloilo -- In it's continuing fight against illegal activities in the province, the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force in Binon-an, Batad has apprehended last week six illegal fishing vessels in territorial waters of the Municipalities of Concepcion and Batad.
In a report submitted to Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. from the Provincial Agriculture Fisheries Division Officer-in-Charge Aniceto B. Diamante, these vessels violated various provisions of Republic Act. No. 8550 of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
Vessels apprehended were F/B Christy, owned and manned by Danilo Bantillo of Poblacion, San Dionisio, Iloilo with two crews Rogelio Tupas and Rey Tagali; F/B Jovie, Gaby Peñaflorida of Brgy. Nipa, San Dionisio, owner and boat captain, Jude Estopado and Peter Estopado, crews; F/B Melchor, owned by Salvacion Morales of Brgy. Nipa, San Dionision, Romeo Lozano, boat captain and Benny Soquias, crew; F/B Kyryl, owned by Felipe Lagaras of Brgy. Villa, Miranda, Victorias, Negros Occ. With Abelardo Rubrico and Randy Pedronio, crews; F/B 3L-II, Vicente Licanto of Brgy. Banica, Roxas City, Violento Saylan, boat captain with Rodolfo Lacrete, Dante Libong, Kessie Mendez, Roberto Garcia, Agustin Joseph and Efren Tanlawan, crews; and F/B Mariel, owned by Juan M. Dojino, manned by Vicente A. Lao-as with Rogie Oro and Nestor Bahan, crews.
Cases are now filed at the 4th Municipal Circuit Trial Court in San Dionisio, Iloilo, at the Provincial Prosecutor's Office and at 2nd MCTC Estancia, Iloilo in violation of certain provisions of RA No. 8550 such as Sec. 86 (Unauthorized Fishing or Engaging in Other Unauthorized Fisheries Activities), Sec. 89 (Use of Fine Mesh Nets), Sec. 90 (Use of Active Gear in the Municipal Waters and Bays and Other Fishery Management Areas) and Sec. 92 (Use of Gear Destructive to Coral Reef and Other Marine Habitat.
The members of the task force who were responsible of the apprehension of these illegal fishing vessels were SPO2 Faustino Arceño, George Arceño, Reynaldo Villa, PO1 William R. Delay and Ramil R. Ciriaco.
(Capitol News)