Four village chiefs in Pilar to face illegal fishing raps
ROXAS CITY – Four village chiefs in Pilar will be charged for illegal fishing for tolerating their constituents’ fishing activities in Pilar Bay, said former Mayor Gideon “Ike” Patricio.
Speaking in behalf of his wife Mayor Ritalyn Patricio, he told The News Today that those who will be charged are Marie Poblador of Casanayan, Rolando Bayanban of Binaobawan, Emmanuel Abelita of Balogo and Leonides Martires of Rosario.
The four village chiefs had earlier asked the mayor to disclose the composition of the Bantay Dagat personnel deputized by the municipal government.
They said that numerous marginal fishermen have been terrorized by these Bantay Dagat members, forcing them to vote for administration candidates if they want to continue fishing at Pilar Bay.
Last Saturday, a group of fisherfolk asked the help of Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. afer their fishing boats were seized at Pilar Bay by Bantay Dagat personnel.
Patricio, for his part, strongly denied the allegations of the group that they have been banned from fishing in Pilar Bay because they did not support his wife in the last elections.
Patricio said the claim is politically motivated.
“I have a good record in Pilar, they could not destroy it. My wife and I were not elected by our constituents if we are not good to them,” he said.
Patricio was mayor for three terms until 2007. His wife was elected mayor after him and is now on her second term.
He vowed to run again for mayor after his wife’s term ends in 2013.
He said that out of the 24 barangays in Pilar, the barangays of the four village chiefs are only ones in the opposition.
Patricio claimed that his adversary, a former radio reporter, manipulated the local media to attack him to destroy his reputation.*
