9 men arrested for illegal fishing

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Nine fishermen were arrested by authorities after they were caught in the act of illegal fishing along the territorial waters of Barangay Victoria in Alaminos City Thursday morning, a report gathered at the Pangasinan PNP provincial office said yesterday.

The report identified the arrested fishermen as Rodolfo Ofiaza, 69; Marlon Albay, 49; Felipe Damian, 20; Rafael Damian, 44; Alfredo Lagao, 49; Federico Abarquez, 44; Alex Bucao, 30; John Cacayuran, 28; and Robert Cacayuran, 19; all residents of Barangay Bay-bay, Sto. Tomas, La Union.

It was reported that joint elements of the Alaminos City police and the 106th Provincial Mobile Group with seaborne patrol of the Public Order and Safety Office were conducting patrol operations when they spotted the nine fishermen.

The suspects were caught in the act of illegal fishing using fine mesh net locally known as hulbot-hulbot.

Confiscated from the suspects were two motorized banca, fine mesh net, 13 kilos of assorted fish and other fishing gears.

A case of violation of RA 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code 1998) was filed against the suspects, the report added.

The suspects and the confiscated items were placed under police custody.   – Cesar Ramirez