7 people nabbed for illegal fishing

CEBU, Philippines - Personnel of Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force (PAIFTF) seized 25 buckets (banyera) of blasted sardinella (tuloy) fish loaded in two vehicles and apprehended seven people in Tuburan town yesterday morning.

Based on the report of PAIFTF team leader Artemio Delfin, the first vehicle, a Mazda pickup (YKP 109) owned by a certain Bonificio Siarot, was apprehended with six buckets of blasted sardinellas around 5:50 in the morning.

The fish, which were reportedly from San Remegio, had signs showing they were caught “through dynamite/blasted fishing,” said Rudillo Codilla, the team’s fish examiner.

The haul was reportedly owned by one Rosita Siarot, who was arrested along with three others – Joel Agag, Justin Albaño and Bonifacio Siarot – all from Balamban town.

At 7:20 a.m., an Isuzu Elf (XPC565) registered under Christ’s Commission Foundation, Inc. with address in Mandaluyong City, was also apprehended by PAIFTF for reportedly carrying blasted sardinella fish believed to have been caught from Medellin waters.

Arrested were Rustom Aviles – the driver and owner of the haul – Janet Aviles and Edmund Lapitin, all from Antipolo, Medellin.

Codilla said the 38 fish samples had signs that they were caught through dynamite fishing.

PENRO head Chad Estella said the seized fish will be turned over to different centers for women and children.

As to the suspects, Estella said they will wait for the decision of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

Aside from facing charges, Estella said the suspects will be made to pay P5,000 for every kilo of blasted fish seized based on the Cebu Fisheries Code. — Liv G. Campo/LPM (FREEMAN)