16 arrested for illegal fishing in Bantayan

CEBU, Philippines -  The Municipal Agricultural Office and Bantayan Police arrested at least 16 men who were caught illegally fishing in the seawaters of the island early yesterday morning.

The suspects were onboard separate commercial fishing vessels when they were apprehended reportedly for trawl fishing.

The first group arrested composed of 13 fishermen namely Vicente Destura, 49, the captain of fishing boat Balder; crew Jonnel Fernandez, 27; Jesus Desamparado, 43; Feranado Gido, 38; Jonathan Gilbuela, 34; and Jomar Villanace, 29, who are from Bantayan town.

The rest of the group include Roger Aguilar, 31; Ricky Amayna, 27; Ronaldo Luyao, 27; Ramil Aguilar, 21; Romcel Mandalupe, 19; Ryan Layoso, 28; and Rogelio Nedar, 32, all from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

Their fishing vessel is owned by Erwin Cornel, of Cadiz City.

The suspects were reportedly engaged in illegal fishing known as Danish Seine or what is locally known as zipper or hulbot-hulbot, a fishing method wherein the boats scrape the sea bottom destroying the grasses and coral reefs.

A few minutes later, the same team also arrested Aki boat captain Rene Pospie, 46; his crew Raymond Canindo, 28; and Kikil Culio, also of Cadiz City.

Alfredo Canendo owns the fishing vessel, whose fishermen were caught trawling, or a fishing method that uses fine mesh nets.

Authorities recovered the two fishing vessels, fine mesh nets, and assorted fishes amounting to P9,000.    

The fishes were given to charitable institutions and residents in the area.

Fisheries Administrative Order No. 246, signed by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, bans the “hulbot-hulbot” system of fishing.

The total ban is in accordance with Section 92 of the Republic Act 8550 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, which declared the use of destructive fishing gears as unlawful.  (FREEMAN)