ORMOC CITY-Four fishermen from Abuyog, Leyte were apprehended for illegal fishing in the municipal waters of Barangay Hingatungan, Silago, Southern Leyte early Wednesday morning, July 16.
Authorities said the suspects were caught in the act of conducting illegal fishing activities at around 12:50 a.m. during a joint operation by the local police and personnel from the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Silago.
The arrested individuals were identified only by their aliases: “Junie,” 22, single; “Dinoy,” 49, married; “Jano,” 26; and “Ryan,” 38, married. All are residents of Barangay Bahay, Abuyog.
Confiscated from their possession were two motorized fishing pump boats valued at approximately P160,000, and fishing nets worth an estimated P240,000.
The suspects and the seized equipment were brought to the Silago Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and disposition, pending the filing of appropriate charges.
Local authorities reiterated their warning that illegal fishing operations will not be tolerated as they endanger marine biodiversity and violate existing environmental laws.
(ROBERT DEJON)
