7 arrested for trawl fishing in Panay

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Seven people were arrested after they were allegedly caught conducting illegal trawl fishing Wednesday afternoon, July 7, in the waters off Panay, Capiz.

Police said the suspects had no permit or required documents to operate.

The suspects were identified only by the aliases “Romel,” 32, and “Dindo,” 41, both boat captains.

Their crew members were identified only by the aliases “John,” 44; “Reniel,” 42; “Fernando,” 48; “Limuel,” 45; and “Julie,” 36.

All seven suspects are residents of Barangay Casanayan in Pilar, Capiz.

Recovered from the suspects were two motorized bancas worth PHP 100,000, three diesel engines worth PHP 90,000, one complete set of fishing nets and paraphernalia worth PHP 70,000, and 30 kilograms of assorted fish worth PHP 6,000.

The suspects and confiscated items are under the custody of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Panay local government unit for proper disposition.

Cases for violation of Municipal Ordinance No. 03-02, or the Municipal Fishery Code of 2003, will be filed against them.

The ordinance regulates fishing activities in the municipality and penalizes illegal fishing practices, including operations conducted without the necessary permits and documents.