SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Eleven fishermen were arrested by joint police operatives and Bantay Dagat personnel after they were caught conducting illegal fishing along the San Fernando Bay of Barangay Poro on June 21.
The fishermen were identified as Roberto Galvez, 26, Richard Cabato, 30, Joseph Cabato, 42, Marlon Cabuñas, 41, Gabriel Cabuñas, 49, Jeonard Soriano, 27, Gregorio Ramirez, 27, Christian Ramirez, 23, Franklin Ramires, 30, Ernesto Galvez, Jr., 35, and Jaymark Jacildo, 26, all residents of Barangay Pilar, Bauang, La Union.
Seized from them were 25 kilos of assorted fish worth P4,100, four fishing vessels and several fishing paraphernalia.
Florycel Obeña, city fishery officer, said the fishermen were caught during a seaborne patrol conducted at about 4:00 a.m. by joint elements of City Police Station, Provincial and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, Coastguard, Maritime Police, and City Agriculturist Office.
Obeña said the fishermen were apprehended for illegal entry, no permit for fishing activity which is a violation of City Ordinance under Section 73 particularly on the use of vessel in fishing without license within the territorial waters.”
The fishermen were brought to city police station for the proper filing of criminal charges against them.
All were penalized in accordance with the City Fishery Ordinance with a fine of P5,000 per vessel and P1,000 each, while the confiscated fish were distributed to charitable institutions. (Erwin Beleo)