CEBU, Philippines – Five men were arrested for illegal fishing at the marine sanctuary of Barangay Altipolo, Tuburan last Saturday at 2:50 a.m.
Fishermen Arnel Trigon from Guiholngan, Negros Orriental, Ian Rescuena from Tubigon,Bohol, Roger Alcanzado and Felix Caballes both from Pondol Balamban, and Eduardo Teralles from Antipolo Tuburan were arrested by policemen and barangay officials.
The five fishermen, according to PO2 Junyl Ater of the Tuburan Police Station, said that the five were on board a pump boat when arrested.
PO2 Ater added that the five fishermen might have a contact person who brought them together considering that they came from different places.
The arresting officers were SPO3 Carlo Conseko and PO3 Antonio Albite with barangay officials and tanods led by Barangay Captain David Arnaiz and Barangay Councilor Orlando Ondoy.
The fishermen used a compressor to catch fish inside the marine sanctuary of Barangay Antipolo. A compressor is mechanical device that increases the pressure of the gas by reducing its volume, similar to a pump.
The responding team confiscated the boat, compressor, flashlight, containers, canvass, paddle, four plastic tubes used for breathing underwater, five kilos of fish and tools for spear fishing.
The suspects are now detained at Tuburan Police Station. Since they are first-time offenders, they would be made to pay a fine.
PO2 Ater said they find it difficult to arrest other illegal fishers as they use telescopes so they will know if authorities are around. - Alfie Sollano and Donna B. Vitualia, USJ-R Interns/JPM (FREEMAN)