Catbalogan PNP beefs up operation against illegal fishing

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
July 10, 2007

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Catbalogan Philippine National Police (PNP) with Police Superintendent (P/Supt) Ramil Ramirez at the helm is beefing up its operation against illegal fishing. Of late, Catbalogan PNP has apprehended eight groups of fisher folks using the trawl method in violation of Republic Act 8550.

In a series of seaborne operations in the waters of Maqueda Bay as reflected on the police blotter,  Catbalogan PNP operatives on June 25, 2007 arrested two Fishing Boats (F/B) LM owner of whom was reportedly a Zaldy Mahinay and F/B TA owned by a Vivian Colocado of Barangay Guinsurongan, Catbalogan.

Further seaborne operations on June 30, 2007 resulted to the apprehension of FB Sunrise owned by Luzminales MIlinda of Barangay Bioso, Zumarraga, Samar; FB Ferdinand owned by a Ferdinand Quiram of Barangay Bioso, Zumarraga, Samar; and FB Niño owned by Ernesto Pigao of Barangay Lumalantang, Zumarraga.

On the same day, they also towed towards Catbalogan PNP headquarters FB Adrian owned by Angelito Abarracoso of Lumalantang, Zumarrga, Samar; FB YanYan owner of which was known to be Obit Labendia of Barangay 3 Catbalogan; and FB Adan owned by Adan Ocasla of Macalunod, Zumarraga, Samar.

The authorities also confiscated several Styrofoam boxes of fish for evidence, fine mesh nets and other fishing paraphernalia.

In another incident, two wooden boats used in blast fishing were also recovered as abandoned by owners in the shorelines of Mahaba Island , still a part of Catbalogan.

Violators of RA 8550 will be charged accordingly, said Chief Ramirez.

The arrests were done because of civilians texting the authorities about the illegal activities proliferating in the area.

Small time fisherfolks have also been complaining about their dwindling catch because of the trawlers.