Two ‘illegal fishing’ vessels lost while in police custody

CEBU, Philippines – Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro is calling for an investigation after two apprehended illegal fishing vessels lost while in the custody of the town police.

Corro said 54 crew members of the vessels were taken into custody after they were arrested by the Bantay Dagat Task Force led by a councilman of Malapascua Island.

Corro said they wanted to follow the process so they first sent documents pertaining to the apprehension to the Capitol since they also wanted to go through the Provincial Aquatic Resource Adjudication Board.

The mayor said they were advised to execute an undertaking to be signed by the crew members that would state that the latter were well-treated and that they would later be released. Corro said that the crew members were never placed inside the detention cell.

But according to Corro, the crew members refused to sign the undertaking and since the reglementary period has already lapsed, they had to release them to avoid illegal detention.

Corro said that as advised by PARAB, the crew should not go back to the boat but then they did not have any place to accommodate the 54 men.

Corro added that he spoke with the police and advised that the crew should not be allowed to go to the boat. “Pero wala naman mapugngi, didto naman sila.”

According to Corro, the crew also asked permission to take the boat with them due to the bad weather but he did not agree.

“Naay order sad gyud ta sa kapolisan na ipa-secure kanila,” the mayor said.

They were surprised to find out that the ships were already gone. “Ang didto raman ana, ang crew raman nila. So wala lain magka-interes ana kundi kadtong crew ug owner sa barko.”

Corro said that the PARAB will be the one to decide if a case would be filed against the ship owner and the crew.  A complaint for violation of the Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 will be filed today by the municipality of Daanbantayan before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the 54 crew members.

PARAB would also recommend to the Bureau of Aquatic Resources the cancellation of the fishing permits of the said vessels owned by certain Allan and Helga Daniel from Cadiz, Negros Occidental.

Loy Anthony Madrigal, who is now serving the municipality of Santa Fe as “freelance consultant” for anti-illegal fishing and security matters, said the vessels were loaded with active gears allegedly used for fishing.

Section 90 of RA 8550 prohibits the use of active gear in the municipal waters and bays, as well as fishery management areas.

Madrigal assisted the Bantay Dagat members from the local government units of San Remigio, Santa Fe, and Daanbantayan during the said anti-illegal fishing operation.

Madrigal said he has also been helping the Alliance of LGUs for Emergency Reduction and Response on Threats, a team created for emergency response composed of the towns of Santa Fe, San Remigio, and Daanbantayan and Bogo City.

“Kining illegal fishing is a threat to the livelihood of the community,” he told reporters.

Madrigal said that illegal fishers have been rejoicing after he stepped down from his post in the provincial government following a scandal involving him and his married secretary.

He described the two fishing vessels recently apprehended as “biggest commercial fishers” he caught, so far, in his crusade against illegal fishing.

“Imagine sa usa ka hulog sa ilang pukot, makakuha ni og 104 banyeras for an hour of operation. If you think about it, how many hours sila nganha sa dagat. Unsa na man lay mahabilin sa gagmay’ng mananagat,” he said, adding that this made him to respond to the request of some LGUs “without hesitation and compensation.”

“I’m back. I’m here. I am hoping makatabang ko sa ubang municipalities. I will finish this battle against illegal fishing,” he added.  -/FPL (FREEMAN)