PCG personnel seizes a fishing boat enganged in illegal sand quarrying in the vicinity waters off Barangay Marang-Marang, Malamawi Island, Isabela City, Basilan on Sunday. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said its personnel seized a fishing boat and apprehended its owner and three crew members for their alleged sand quarrying activities off Barangay Marang-Marang in Isabela City, Basilan, over the weekend.
“The Philippine Coast Guard seized FB Under Water engaged in illegal sand quarrying in the vicinity waters off Barangay Marang-Marang, Malamawi Island, Isabela City, Basilan, on 26 February 2023,” the PCG said in a statement.
PCG further learned that a certain Hassan Adjal owned FB Under Water.
Adjal and three crew members onboard the FB Under Water were turned over by the PCG to Isabela City Agriculturist Office for further investigation.
According to the PCG, they violated an Isabela City ordinance that prohibits quarrying within the area’s marine habitat.—MJ Soriano, trainee