Iloilo illegal fishing bust nets PHP 910,000 seizure

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — Seven fishing boats and their equipment valued at PHP 910,000 were seized in separate anti-illegal fishing operations in Concepcion and San Dionisio, Iloilo, on Aug. 22 and 23.

The Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force said three boats were intercepted off Tago Island in Barangay Poblacion, Concepcion, on Aug. 23 for allegedly engaging in round haul seine fishing, locally known as “baling.”

F/B Megan, F/B Isay, and F/B Odang were intercepted between 7 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. by a joint team from the provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Regional Intelligence Unit 6.

The boats were operated by Prince Michael Asturias Gargar, 21; Jvan Dyke Alerta Sabia, 22; and Rando Ardison Ocido, 50, all residents of Concepcion.

Each boat, valued at PHP 100,000, had two 12-horsepower engines and a round haul seine net, while its fishing gear was estimated at PHP 70,000.

The three boats and their equipment were valued at PHP 510,000 altogether.

About three kilograms of assorted fish worth PHP 15,000 were also confiscated.

The three operators were taken to the Concepcion Municipal Police Station pending the filing of charges.

The boats and equipment remained under the custody of the provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force.

Meanwhile, four other boats were intercepted in the waters off Barangay Agdaliran, San Dionisio, between 12:15 a.m. and 12:45 a.m. on Aug. 22 while authorities were conducting a seaborne patrol.

The fishermen were allegedly engaged in trawl fishing, prompting authorities to order them to stop and retrieve their nets.

The operators were identified as Marvin Padios Torlola, 60; Reynate Padios Tortola, 50; Warren Bores Arbis, 29; and Arnel Garing Morales, 49, all residents of Barangay Odiongan, San Dionisio.

The boats were valued at PHP 80,000 each, while the fishing equipment was estimated at PHP 80,000 in total, putting the value of the seizure at PHP 400,000.

Authorities also confiscated about 10 kilograms of assorted fish worth PHP 5,000.

The San Dionisio fishermen were set to have their boats and equipment released upon payment of compromise fines prescribed by the local government unit.

The confiscated fish from both operations, valued at PHP 20,000, were to be donated to a government hospital and a charitable institution.

The operations form part of Iloilo’s continuing campaign against illegal fishing practices aimed at protecting municipal waters and marine resources.