Digos police arrest illegal fisher escorts

FOUR men were arrested in Digos City, Davao del Sur, Monday evening on accusation of being escorts of illegal fishing operators.

Senior Inspector Francis Sonza, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Davao del Sur, identified the four suspects as Rolando Tuto Arcelo, leader, 36, of Tienda Aplaya; and his members, Antonio Segafu Layo, 34, of corner Lapu-lapu Street and Corregidor Street; Alnasim Baderi Cabilocan, 20, of Barangay Aplaya Guihing; and Darwin Mecabalo Visto, 28, of Bansalan in Davao del Sur.

Sonza said the suspects were arrested around 11:30 p.m. at the Baywalk in Tienda Aplaya, Digos City, by the CIDG’s Civilian Investigative Support (CIS).

Recovered from the possession of the suspects were three improvised shotguns, two of caliber .357 magnum revolvers, one with serial number 361428 and the other one without serial number, 12 live ammunition of a caliber .38 revolver, and ten live ammunition of a shotgun.

Sonza said the group operates in the waters of Davao del Sur and General Santos City.

"There were also reports that these suspects were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front (BIFF) but we cannot yet confirm this unless our investigation is already complete. We are still conducting further investigation to verify the reports," Sonza said.

For the alleged illegal fisher folks, Sonza said they are now closely monitoring the group, and that they are gathering evidences and also waiting for some complainants for them to arrest the illegal fisher folks.

The suspects were brought to CIDG in Davao City Tuesday for documentation and are now detained at CIDG jail facility in Davao del Sur.

Sonza said the suspects will be charged for violation of the Republic Act 8291, otherwise known as An Act Amending the Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as Amended Entitled "Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing In or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives in the Manufacture of Firearms." (Ivy C. Tejano)