Task Force seizes P.5M budyong

CEBU, Philippines - Authorities seized an estimated P500,000 worth of endangered shells, locally known as budyong (Genus cassis), at Daanbantayan, Cebu’s New Port Sunday night.

The Provincial Anti-illegal Fishing Task Force, in a joint operation with the Daanbantayan Bantay Dagat and San Remigio Bantay Dagat, intercepted a pump boat and discovered onboard 12 sacks of the shells.

Loy Anthony Madrigal, PAIFTF head, said the shells were supposed to be transferred to a waiting truck, which was also loaded with 27 sacks of the same species of shells.

He said they were having a routine operation in the area when they came across the boat and the truck.

The provincial government posted in its Facebook account that the shells came from Masbate and to be delivered to a shell-craft factory in Pagsabungan, Mandaue City.

Authorities also arrested nine crew members identified as Alison Batahoy, Daniel Sakayan, Leny Cailan, Alteo Rodrigo, Joseph Ornopia, Edsar Sacayan, Alteo Rodrigo, Jr., Esco Rosauro, and a minor, all from Esperanza, Masbate.

The apprehended pump boat is registered under the name of Antonio Batahoy from Esperanza while the truck belongs to Enrique Borromeo of Liloan, Cebu.

The shells and the truck are now in the custody of the Daanbantayan police.

Madrigal said Borromeo was arrested once after yielding dynamites during an anti-illegal fishing operation.

“Kapila na nako nadakpi nga trak magsige karga og binuthan. Kato pod mga pumpboat nga akong nadakpan sa una katong nanglayat ang mga tawo nga nakuhaan og dinamita, iyaha pod to pero di moangkon (We have apprehended the same truck several times in the past for loading blasted fish. There was also this pumpboat we seized, where the crew jumped out, that have dynamites inside, which was his),” Madrigal said of Borromeo, who was released after paying a fine.

This time, Madrigal said, a complaint will be filed against Borromeo and eight of the nine crew members. 

They would face criminal complaints for violating Section 97 of the Republic Act 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998), which prohibits the fishing or taking of rare, threatened or endangered species.

Violation of the said provision is punished with imprisonment of 12 to 20 years and/or a fine of P120,000, forfeiture of the catch, and cancellation of the fishing permit.  (FREEMAN)