Dealing with the poaching problem

Among the regions of the Philippines, Region IV-B is the most poached over by fishermen of neighboring countries (Chinese, Malaysians, Vietnamese and Indonesians). Region IV-B is composed of Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (MiMaRoPa).

Regional Director for the area is Virgilio Alforque under National Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Region IV is number two in the 2001 to 2003 fisheries production with 289, 246 metric tons in 2001; 363,464 MT in 2002 and 472, 694.4 MT in 2003. It also no.1 in municipal fishing (15 kilometers from shore) with 103,053 MT in 2001; 130,766 MT in 2002 and 160,760 MT in 2003.

Its production in commercial fishing (after15 km.) is 33,441 MT in 2001; 36,149 MT in 2002 and 42,128 MT in 2003 making the area the no.9 producer in the country. It is no. 2 in aquaculture production with 152,752 MT; in 2001; 196,549 MT in 2002 and 269,806.4 MT in 2003.

The big production of Region IV-B in commercial and municipal fisheries makes it very attractive to poaching vessels from neighboring countries: China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Apprehensions and court cases in the region are jointly conducted by a team composed of representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led by Lt. Commander Gayosa and the BFAR Seaborne Patrol on board monitoring coastal and surveillance (NCS) patrol vessel.

The latest cases were the conviction of Vietnamese poachers and apprehension of two Malaysian fishing vessels caught poaching in Palawan waters. According the document penned by Judge Toribio E. Ilao Jr. of the Regional Trial Court of Palawan, the nine Vietnamese fishers pleaded guilty to the crime of violation of Section 87 of RA 8550 (poaching).

The poachers were sentenced to pay $100,000 to the government of the Philippines. The fishing vessel with Bow No. BD2122-TS, as well as, the fishing paraphernalia used were also ordered confiscated in favor of the government .

Three cases involving Chinese nationals — Crim Case 17510; 17209 and 17568; — with the RTC branch 52 were convicted. Two other cases — Crim Case 17718 and 17697 — where two Chinese vessels with 38 fishermen were apprehended at the vicinities of Malampaya Gas Project were convicted. In crim case 19422 18 Chinese nationals were apprehended at the vicinity of Mangsee Island, Balabac. Another case of poaching by Chinese fishermen (30 in all) in two fishing vessels is now in court.

Criminal case 18190 involving 10 Malaysian fishermen were convicted with confiscation of the fishing vessel and paraphernalia. In IS #2003-379 four Malaysian nationals were apprehended.There were three cases of Malaysian fishing vessels with Filipino and Indonesians. The Filipino fishermen were caught while on actual fishing in the vicinities of Bangue, Balabac, Palawan (crim. case 19689) Based on investigation some of the crew were natives of Balabac, Palawan. The crew were convicted, the fishing vessel was confiscated and the accused Malaysian nationals were deported back to their country. The other two involving Indonesian nationals (I.S. 2004-546) and I.S. 2004-545), criminal complaints were filed at the provincial prosecutor’s office.

Eleven Vietnamese were convicted in criminal case 18336 while the Vietnamese fishermen is involved in crim. case 19689 were convicted and made to pay a fine of $100,000 while their fishing vessels and paraphernalia confiscated.

The courts that tried the cases are: Regional Trial Court (RTC) 52, RTC Branch 50, RTC 44 and Provincial Prosecutors Office.