POLICE authorities in the province of Bohol have denied claims circulating on social media linking their personnel to a boat collision that killed two fishermen on Friday morning, May 2, 2025.
The incident, which happened near Malingin Island, Bien Unido, killed Rene Awas Reyes and B-Jay Manayon, who were fishing using the method locally known as Liba-Liba, an illegal fishing practice.
Liba-Liba fishing uses a cone-shaped net with a scaring device designed to herd fish into the net before it is hauled into the boat.
The practice, though still prevalent in some areas of the country, is banned in the Philippines because the net’s heavy weight and the dragging of the scaring devices along the sea floor can destroy coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves.
According to social media posts, while the two fishermen were at sea, a boat carrying police and Bantay Dagat personnel from Carlos P. Garcia town hit their vessel — a claim supported by some local residents.
Bohol Provincial Police Office chief Colonel Arnel Banzon ordered an immediate investigation into the matter, directing the Bien Unido police station chief to coordinate with police in the towns of Carlos P. Garcia, Ubay, and Talibon.
Initial investigation found no involvement by Carlos P. Garcia police.
Police Lieutenant Conrado Butil, Carlos P. Garcia police chief, said his station conducted no coastal law enforcement operation from May 1-2, 2025. The chiefs of police in Ubay and Talibon also issued similar statements.
Investigators have coordinated with local fishermen in Bien Unido, including eyewitnesses, who described the boat that hit the victims as a red motor banca with three engines.
Witnesses also claimed that men were on board the red banca although, they could not determine the number of people in the boat.
The suspect boat fled towardsCarlos P. Garcia town after hitting the victims’ apple green boat that had a single engine.
Bohol police assured the victims’ families that they will work quickly to identify the suspects and give justice for the fishermen’s deaths.
Banzon ordered the Bien Unido chief to speed up and deepen the investigation. / AYB