INTRUDER At least 21 Filipino fishermen were arrested for illegal fishing in the waters of Dauis town, Bohol province. —PHOTO FROM PCG BOHOL
TAGBILARAN CITY—Twenty-one crew members of a fishing boat were arrested by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Tagbilaran for alleged illegal fishing in the municipal waters of Dauis in Bohol province on Wednesday night.
Rejard Marfe, commanding officer of PCG’s BRP Capones, said Coast Guard men were on patrol near Panglao Island, a famous resort area, on Wednesday when they spotted a fishing boat in the municipal waters of Dauis.
The boat operator was identified as Aileen Visarra of Barangay Totolan in Dauis.
No documents
Marfe identified the arrested crew members as Jaime Esto, 43; Ronie Bullanday, 19; Glenn Lungat, 30; Poncito Alanto, 43; Juanito Vailoces, 29; Edwin Maagad, 29; Henrito Loon, 45; Mendrico Pateno, 28; Pedro Amoris, 43; Angelito Balamante, 44; Roque Trovidencia, 28; Dino Beranio, 30; John Lauron, 29; Elmer Tubat, 40; Jundry Galdines, 35; Donnie, 41; Juanito Centino, 40; Bonifacio Lopecillo, 44; and Noel Saycon, 26—all residents of Dauis town, Bohol.
Five containers of fish were found in the boat.
The crew failed to show documents to prove the legality of their fishing operations.
Marfe said the fishing boat left the port without PCG clearance. It was also found that they did not submit a Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure to the PCG office in Tagbilaran.
He said the law prohibited commercial fishing within 15 kilometers of municipal waters.
“Commercial fishing is prohibited for the protection of marginal fishermen,” he said.
The fishermen face charges for violating PCG rules and guidelines and Republic Act No. 10654 (An Act To Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing).
The crew members being kept in the boat, guarded by PCG personnel, until the boat operator could pay fines.