Capitol seizes blasted fish

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government has seized at least 441 boxes of blasted fish along the highway of Carmen and Catmon towns yesterday, in what dubbed as the biggest haul for the year so far.

The assorted fish, which were recovered from two six-wheeler trucks, were confiscated by Team Eskina of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force.

Team leader Oscar Barcenas estimated the fish – bigger and more expensive than sardines which they have usually confiscated – amounted to about P2 million.

Barcenas said they positioned themselves along Barangay Luyang Carmen after they were tipped that a truck was heading to Cebu City’s Pasil Fish Market from Bantayan Island carrying boxes of blasted fish.

Aside from the task force, the Maritime Industry Auhtority-7, 78th Infantry Battalion, and fish examiners from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 joined the operation.

At past 7 a.m. yesterday, authorities apprehended a six-wheeler truck bearing plate numbers GXJ-961 carrying 201 boxes of assorted fish like rompe de candado or chevron barracuda, solid, mamsa, and lanhoan.

Fish examiners Arlene Baylosis and Rodillo Codilla assessed that 100 percent of the confiscated fish were blasted.

Acting on another tip, the team apprehended another truck bearing plate numbers GXJ 960, and seized 240 more boxes of blasted fish along Barangay Panalipan, Catmon barely two hours later.

Barcenas said a certain “Bogs” was identified as the shipper of the fish. The truck drivers were spared from any violation.

Further information gathered revealed that the fish were caught in Palawan, Barcenas said.

Each box, he said, would cost around P4,000 and the price triples upon reaching the market.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia commended the team for the big haul.

“This should again send a loud signal to those who continue to flaunt or violate the existing law. We are serious in our campaign against illegal fishing and the violators will be relentlessly pursued,” Garcia said.

The fish were distributed to different schools and charitable institutions in Cebu.  (FREEMAN)