TWO fishermen were arrested by authorities in an anti-illegal fishing campaign in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the police reported Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

Police Colonel Eduard Mallo, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, identified the arrested fishermen as Muksin Esmael, 36, and Muallib Bala, 22, both residents of Purok 1 in Poblacion village, Payao town.

Mallo said the two were arrested around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 22, by policemen in the waters near the shore of Poblacion village engaged in illegal fishing.

He said the policemen were on seaborne patrol implementing fishery laws when they chanced upon the two fishermen catching fish through illegal fishing mode.

Mallo said confiscated during the anti-illegal fishing operation were assorted fish, one unit compressor with 500 meters hose and a motorboat powered by a 15-horsepower engine.

He said the two arrested fishermen were taken to the Payao Municipal Police Station for documentation and were turned over to the municipal fisheries and aquatic resources for proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)