Missing sea watchman Suspect in Cordova case to surrender

CEBU, Philippines - One of the suspects in the recent attack against a Cordova marine watchman wants to surrender, Mayor Adelino Sitoy revealed yesterday.

As the police and fishermen continue to search Cordova’s waters to look for the missing Rudy Sultan, barangay officials of Pooc, Talisay City visited Sitoy to inform him about suspect Dongcoy Yongco’s wish to surrender.

As of yesterday afternoon, Sitoy was still closely coordinating with the Talisay City Police.

Sultan, 50, of Barangay Poblacion, Cordova went missing after the police and the Cordova Marine Watch arrested illegal fishers last Monday night.

One of the apprehended illegal fishing boats, which was escorted by Sultan, was found in Pooc, Talisay City with bloodstains. Police also yesterday alerted leaders of the island-barangays of Cordova to help in searching for Sultan.

This recent attack against one of Cordova’s marine watchmen will not affect the town’s campaign against illegal fishing, Sitoy said yesterday.

Instead, this will prod the Municipal Government and the police through the Cordova Marine Watch to intensify its campaign against violators.

Sitoy said that based on the arrests they have made, 90 percent of violators are from Talisay.

The arrests were made by policemen with the help of the Cordova Marine Watch, which is composed of residents the town hired to assist in the campaign against illegal fishing.

Most illegal fishers were released after paying the fine. The ones arrested last Monday were already released paying P2,500.

Last Monday’s team was headed by PO2 Charlie Valmoria and was accompanied by Roseler Cañete, Amad Inting, Chester Sosias, and Sultan.

Those arrested were Noel Lastimada, 35, Ruben Beyaya, 35, Luis Fernandez and Dongcoy Yongco, all of Pooc.

Valmoria instructed Sultan to escort the boat used by Fernandez and Yongco while he and other companions escorted the pumpboat used by Lastimada and Biduya.

Only Valmoria and his companions arrived in barangay Day-as, while the boat escorted by Sultan never made it to Cordova’s shores.

The Provincial Government is planning to give insurance to bantay dagat members in the province. — /JPM (THE FREEMAN)