Iloilo cops nab 5 Negros Occ. boats for illegal fishing

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Authorities intercepted five boats allegedly engaged in illegal fishing in Concepcion, Iloilo, early Sunday, July 5.

The operation was jointly conducted by the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force and the Regional Intelligence Unit 6.

The maritime team apprehended the vessels for trawl fishing off the waters of Sitio Baligiuan in Barangay Malangabang at around 3:30 a.m.

The intercepted vessels were identified as fishing boats Sherean, BYB, Nitoy, Rylie 2 and Natnat.

All five boats were piloted by residents of Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the boat captains by their aliases: Jeff, 56; Nikka, 38; Pedreng, 41; Rick, 52; and John, 46.

The task force caught the fishermen engaging in palupad, a local term for trawl fishing, during a routine seaborne patrol.

The illegal activity took place within a 15-kilometer radius of the municipal shoreline.

This violates Section 95 of Republic Act 10654, a law amending the Philippine Fisheries Code to eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Commercial trawl fishing is prohibited in municipal waters to protect critical marine habitats and allow depleted fish populations to recover.

Police confiscated the fishing boats and related paraphernalia with an estimated value of PHP 4,000,000.

The operating team also seized three tubs of assorted fish valued at PHP 7,000.

The Concepcion Municipal Police Station currently holds the boat captains in custody.

The Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force secured the confiscated items for proper disposition and the filing of criminal charges.

Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Western Visayas police chief, stated that Police Regional Office 6 will continue to support intelligence-driven maritime operations.

Tuaño emphasized that these efforts protect municipal waters, preserve marine resources and safeguard the livelihood of legitimate fisherfolk.

He urged coastal communities to remain vigilant and immediately report illegal fishing activities in their areas.

Tuaño noted that community cooperation is an essential part of a shared commitment to a safer and more secure Western Visayas region.