GOVERNMENT authorities have arrested nine people, including a child, in separate areas for illegal fishing in Zamboanga Sibugay, the police said Thursday, February 23.

Zamboanga Sibugay police director Senior Superintendent Romulo Cleve Taboso said the first group consisting of five fishermen was arrested around 2:44 p.m. Wednesday offshore Siay municipality.

The police arrested Jonrel Angcajas, 24, Christoper Cortez, 18, Danilo Lozada, 45, Cel Upa, 42 and Junneth Bulanan, 22.

Taboso said the joint police and sea watchmen law enforcers of Siay were on seaborne patrol when they spotted the first group aboard two motorboats engaged in illegal fishing.

He said the second group was arrested around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday offshore Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay. They were identified as Efren Nartia, 52, Kerwin Nartia, 18, Alvan Sarabain, 12 and Daniel Basan, 18.

He said the police from Olutanga town were on seaborne patrol when they intercepted a motorboat used by the second group.

The police official said they confiscated illegal fishing gears and motorboats.

Taboso said the fishermen were taken to the police stations for proper disposition. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)