Bantay Dagat operation nets 19 illegal fishers in Guimaras
Simultaneous weekend operations by the Bantay Dagat (Guardians of the Sea) resulted to major arrests of suspected illegal fishers off the waters of Guimaras.
With Guimaras police in tow, the Bantay Dagat team of said island-province recorded 19 suspects now in police custody.
Eight of the suspected illegal fishers were on board Fishing Boat (F/B) Redeemer owned by one Nicholas Pares of Tacda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.
Guimaras authorities identified the arrested crew as Nicholas Navida, Mark Leonila, Ludovico Eguihanon, Francisco Leonila, Mario Navida, JB Malones, Richard Arceo and Fred Tamayo. All are Negros Occidental locals.
Corresponding Bantay Dagat and Guimaras police operation led to the arrest of 11 other fishing boat crew.
Bailbond for the temporary liberty of the arrested crewmen has been set at P5,000 each with all 19 now holed up in the Nueva Valencia Police Office.
Bombo Radyo Iloilo in a report stated a total of 90 arrests though since the start of the January anti-illegal fishing drive of Guimaras Bantay Dagat. All of the apprehended suspected illegal fishers came from Negros Occidental.