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Saturday, March 25, 2006
We will investigate: Estante on 'hot fishes' controversy
AN INVESTIGATION will be conducted on the controversies surrounding the operations of Task Force Snapper.
Formed as the City Government's arm against illegal fishing operations, questions and complaints abound on recent arrests made by the group. As such, Councilor Ely Estante Jr., chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources decided to have the matter probed.
Incidentally, Estante was invited to be part of the Task Force, an invitation he welcomed and confirmed to have given the nod last Friday.
Initial efforts have since been made by Estante for the committee to have a jump-off point on where and what to investigate. Among those set to be verified is the Task Force's operating procedures in making arrests and handling of the confiscated fish catch.
Estante also sent out letters to identified recipients of the Task Force following reported inconsistencies on the quantity of fish delivered.
In a report, Estante gathered that as a matter of prerogative, Task Force officials gave portion of the confiscated fish catch to laborers who helped unload the cargo. Such and more will be addressed if only to ascertain the regularity and propriety of said practice.
Estante clarified though that with the investigation pushed by his Committee, the primary objective is for the public to be clarified on the Task Force's operations. Should there be violations noted, Estante assured of "proper and just recommendations" that will guide him to push for measures in aid of legislation.
"While it is unfortunate that the Task Force is hounded with serious charges, we would like to take this as an opportunity to review its mandate. Let's help each other so that complaints such as this won't happen again and to correct reports that have no basis. What's important is we will continue our campaign against illegal fishing and to protect the rights of the persons who directly and indirectly be affected by this. I appeal to everybody to give chance to rectify these," Estante said.
(March 24, 2006 issue)
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