Fishing vessel seized twice in two weeks
CEBU, Philippines - Barely two weeks after its release, the same fishing boat with 13 crew was again apprehended for illegally fishing in the seawaters of Madridejos town in Bantayan Island last Wednesday.
Led by Capitol chief security officer Loy Anthony Madrigal, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force has apprehended F/B Mark Hope owned by Edwin Cornel which is registered in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
The boat with its crew allegedly fishing inside the municipal water of Madridejos, Cebu using active gears in violation of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
Evidences recovered were the fishing boat, fish net, rule book and the 38 boxes of assorted fishes of undetermined amount.
The fishing boat was impounded and brought to Hagnaya Port in San Remigio, Cebu.
The boat officers and crew are identified as captain Antonio Gelendez, 57; second captain Oscar Abello, 58; chief engineer Joselito Liel, 45; second engineer Angelino Espleguera, 44, all of Cadiz City.
Other crew members are identified as Marianito Despi, 50; Joel Pacangat, 33; Ronald Pama, 20; Antonio Romero, 20; Carlo Alob Jr., 18; Catalino Almucera, 21; Bayni Arellano, 45; Rolando Pama, 54; and Romed Villaceran, 47.
Madrigal told The FREEMAN that the boat is a repeat offender and was just released on October 29, 2013 from the same violation.
He said that the crew who are still in Hagnaya Port will be brought to the Capitol in Cebu City on Monday for legal processing.
Last October 24, the task force apprehended the same boat along with F/B Seanne with more than 30 fishermen who were caught fishing in restricted municipal waters and seized two motorboats carrying around P500,000 worth of assorted fish in the same area.
The boats were released after the owner paid the full amount of the fine.
According to Madrigal, one kilo of fish is equivalent to the fine of P5,000 and one basin can reportedly contain 35 to 40 kilos of fish. (FREEMAN)
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