Bantay Dagat nabs 6 fishing vessels
The Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force stationed in Binon-an, Batad, Iloilo apprehended last week six fishing boats because of illegal fishing.
Apprehended vessels were as follows: F/B Tisay owned by Lorito L. Batin who also served as the boat captain; F/B Nonoy Anoy, Marjoe A. Balontong, owner and boat captain; F/B Nening, Christian Millada, owner and boat captain; F/B Nonoy Vincent, Ruben Alacian, owner, and Jose Lauron, boat capatain; F/B Two Brothers, Edison Arellano, owner and boat captain; and F/B Sto. Niño, Santiago Sedorepa, owner and Joseph Lauron, boat captain. The apprehending officers were Reynaldo Villa and Rogie Blancaflor
In a report submitted by Mr. Aniceto Diamante, OIC, Fisheries Division of the Provincial Agriculture Office to Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. these fishing vessels were seized in violation of Republic Act No. 8550 of Philippine Fisheries Code specifically Section 86 or unauthorized fishing or engaging in other unauthorized fisheries activities and Section 89 or the use of fine mesh nets.
Violators of these prohibitions shall suffer the following penalties: (1) the boat captain and master fisherman of the vessels who participated in the violation shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment from two (2) years to six (6) years; (2) The owner/operator of the vessel shall be fined from Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) upon the discretion of the court. However, if the owner/operator is a corporation, the penalty shall be imposed on the managing partner, the catch shall be confiscated and forfeited.
These vessels were nabbed in the seawater of San Dionisio and cases were already filed at 4th Municipal Circuit Trial Court in the said town.
The apprehension is part of the continuing campaign of Tupas administration to stop the illegal fishing activities in the seawater of Iloilo Province. (Capitol News)