10 Vietnamese poachers nabbed off Dalupiri Island in Cagayan

Authorities intercepted two fishing vessels and arrested 10 Vietnamese fishermen aboard as they were caught poaching off Dalupiri Island in the Calayan Group of Islands in Cagayan. Photos courtesy of BFAR-Region 2

TUGUEGARAO CITY — Law enforcers of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have arrested 10 Vietnamese fishermen after intercepting their two fishing vessels off Dalupiri Island in the Calayan Group of Islands in Cagayan.

In a belated report, Dr. Nelson Bien, acting regional director of BFAR-Cagayan Valley, on Monday identified the cornered vessels as BD-96821-TS and BD-95115-TS.

According to Bien, BFAR personnel were on a patrol mission on board DA-BFAR MCS 3010 when they chanced upon the Vietnamese vessels last Saturday. June 1.

Authorities intercepted two fishing vessels and arrested 10 Vietnamese fishermen aboard as they were caught poaching off Dalupiri Island in the Calayan Group of Islands in Cagayan. Photos courtesy of BFAR-Region 2

Found in the vessels were, among others, yellow fin tuna, shark, blue marlin, and dorado, which were valued at more or less P80,000, Bien said.

He also said a case was already filed in the Aparri Regional Trial Court. He further said the 10 Vietnamese would be arraigned Tuesday and eventually committed to the district jail.

Authorities intercepted two fishing vessels and arrested 10 Vietnamese fishermen aboard as they were caught poaching off Dalupiri Island in the Calayan Group of Islands in Cagayan. Photos courtesy of BFAR-Region 2

Deportation proceedings against the illegal fishers would likewise be initiated, according to Bien.

Chruschev Paul De Peralta, leader of BFAR’s team of law enforcers, said the vessels were caught in the act of fishing at the time of the arrest. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)