Bantay Dagat Seizes Two Illegal Fishing Vessels in Banate

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (IPBDTF) apprehended two fishing vessels engaged in illegal hulbot-hulbot fishing in Banate Bay on Sunday, March 16.

According to the provincial government’s report, the operation off the coast of Barangay San Salvador, Banate, led to the confiscation of the unnamed fishing boats, their equipment, and approximately 30 kilos of fish valued at PHP900.

The crackdown was a joint effort by the Banate Municipal Police Station (MPS), the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU6), and the IPBDTF.

Authorities said that during a routine seaborne patrol, the vessels were found using Danish seine fishing, locally known as hulbot-hulbot, a method banned due to its harmful effects on marine life and the ecosystem.

This technique involves dragging a weighted net along the seabed, damaging coral reefs and other habitats.

The captains of the vessels were informed of the charges against them and advised of their constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine and Republic Act 9745, the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, which penalizes torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

The suspects were taken to the Banate MPS custodial facility for proper processing.

The confiscated vessels and fishing paraphernalia are now under the custody of the Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force for safekeeping.

A formal case is expected to be filed on March 17.

The operation highlights the commitment of local authorities to protecting Iloilo’s marine resources and enforcing laws against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.