CEBU, Philippines - At least two fish dealers in Pasil Market, Cebu City have hit back at the Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force for apprehending their supply from northern Cebu early morning yesterday.
They said they have been into fish dispatching in the past five years, only yesterday that their supplies were seized by the team led by Capitol chief security officer Loy Anthony Madrigal.
At least 3, 760 kilos of fish were seized by the task force in a checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion, Liloan at 3:05 a.m yesterday loaded in the three trucks from Medellin and Daanbantayan towns.
Madrigal said that fish examiners declared the fishes as positively caught by the use of explosives and/or dynamites.
"Nakalusot lang na ang uban nga wala nadakpan. Negosyo man gud ni, maong ilang daotan ang ilang kakompetensiya," said Madrigal.
The fish dealers who asked for anonymity said during their visit to The FREEMAN yesterday that they have been getting supplies from legally caught fish.
"Ang kanang among isda nga gidakop, dali ra gyod na malata, mao sigurong mura'g gibuthan og paboto," said one of the dealers.
Following the apprehension, the fish dealers claimed losing more than P100,000 of their income yesterday.
Another fish dealer accused Madrigal as "unfair" in apprehending illegal fishing because the latter himself is allegedly involved in this activity.
"Naay usa ka sakyanan nga ginamitan pod og paboto pero wala gidakop kay ang sakyanan gamiton usahay ni Madrigal," the dealer said.
But Madrigal told The FREEMAN in a phone interview that it is ironic if he involves himself in the activity which he ought to prevent.
"Ako ang manakop, unya ako nuon ang involve sa illegal fishing. Dili na tinuod," said Madrigal.
Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez posted on his Facebook account his criticisms against Madrigal.
"Pirmiro nimung butangan og checkpoint diha entrada o salida sa Bogo public market aron sad maka ingon mi honest to goodness imu pag-implementar sa balaod sa Capitol," said Ramirez.
Madrigal said he's not surprised of the statement of Ramirez instead requested the latter to help them in curbing illegal fishing.
"It will hurt his feelings, of course kay ilaha man unta ning trabaho unya wala sila kabuhat," said Madrigal.
Madrigal claimed he was being bribed and threatened but it will not stop his efforts in fighting illegal fishing activities.
"It will not stop me of apprehending them. I will stop until they stop illegal fishing," he said. —, (FREEMAN)