Seven arrested in Ivisan illegal fishing operations

By Felipe V Celino

IVISAN, Capiz — Joint law enforcement units arrested seven people for violating Municipal Ordinance No. 03-02, or the Municipal Fishery Code, Series of 2003, during two separate anti-illegal fishing operations Monday night, Jan. 12, in the municipal waters off Barangay Balaring.

The first operation, conducted at about 8:40 p.m., led to the arrest of Renz Berg Delos Santos Arollado, 27, boat captain; Tommy Alejandro Tomarong, 42, crew member; and Reymond Moreno Bayola, 23, crew member.

The second operation, at about 8:50 p.m., resulted in the arrest of Bayani Mahusay Baing, 42, boat captain; Robot Arroyo Toledo, 35, crew member; John Dave Atong Delgado, 20, crew member; and Franklin Baing Guillen, 19, crew member.

Police said all seven are residents of Barangay Culasi, Roxas City.

Authorities said the suspects were caught engaging in illegal fishing using a method locally known as “kayagkag” and were operating without the required permits.

Confiscated items from the first group included the banca Bibing with an Isuzu C190 diesel engine valued at PHP 180,000, fishing gear worth PHP 100,000, and about 175 kilograms of fish valued at PHP 7,500.

From the second group, authorities seized the banca Mark Lourenz with an Isuzu C190 diesel engine valued at PHP 180,000, fishing gear worth PHP 50,000, and about 105 kilograms of fish valued at PHP 4,500.

The suspects were taken to the Ivisan Municipal Police Station for documentation and later turned over to the Ivisan Municipal Agriculture Office for proper disposition.