15 arrested for illegal fishing in Roxas City

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Fifteen residents of Barangay Cogon were arrested Tuesday, March 31, by joint forces from the Roxas City Police Station and Task Force Bantay Dagat during an operation in Barangay Olotayan.

The group faces charges under City Ordinance No. 16-2023, specifically Section 27, which bans commercial fishing in city waters, and Section 73, which covers unauthorized fishery activities.

Authorities recovered a fishing boat valued at PHP 600,000, a Mitsubishi Fuso 6D14 engine worth PHP 100,000, fishing gear and nets valued at PHP 400,000, and roughly 1,000 kilograms of assorted fish worth PHP 150,000.

The suspects were turned over to the Roxas City Fisheries and Agriculture Office for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges.