THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao urged communities near coastal areas or shorelines to report foreign vessels that enter the region regardless of their permits.
PRO-Davao spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz issued the statement after a foreign vessel was intercepted at Sitio Patua in Barangay Batuganding, Sarangani, Davao Occidental around 6:49 p.m., Friday, July 6.
Members of the Davao Occidental Provincial Police Office with the Sarangani Municipal Police Station and the Bureau of Immigration staff Eduard Europa nabbed two Indonesian nationals believed to be operators of the motorized boat.
The Indonesian nationals were identified as Josapath M. Layang, 49, a pastor; and Elmer L. Macodompis, 29, a fisherman, both from Indonesia, and were found operating the motorized boat owned by a certain Teresa Marie L. Basilan.
According to the investigation, Driz said, the boat was intercepted sailing at Sitio Patua in Barangay Batuganding from Marori Island, Indonesia. She added that the Indonesians were nabbed for lack of documents to sail.
Layang and Macodompis were brought to the Sarangani Municipal Police Station last Friday for record and temporary custody. They were fetched by the immigration personnel on Saturday and were transferred to Davao City.
"The PRO is appealing to the public, especially to all communities near coastal areas that are vulnerable to entrants of foreign vessels or persons in our region to report this kind of situation to the authorities for verifications," Driz said.
Driz also encouraged communities to help the government authorities’ deal with peace and order in their respective areas of responsibility. She said the community has a great part in public safety.