Two fishing boat captains were arrested after they were caught allegedly fishing illegally off Concepcion, Iloilo.
Authorities seized two boats, fishing equipment and fish worth a total of P710,000 during the operation early Sunday, Oct. 11.
The nine fishermen aboard the boats were from Victorias City, Negros Occidental. They were intercepted around 2:45 a.m. off Barangay Malangabang by the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force and police intelligence personnel.
Authorities identified the boat captains as Alan Buro Abacaro, 52, and Jesus Panes Damasco Jr., 56. Their boats were identified as F/B Eloisa EB and F/B Nday Rona.
The two boats were allegedly using large nets dragged through the water to catch fish. Authorities said they were fishing about 7.34 kilometers from the shore.
Each boat was valued at P300,000. The seized equipment was worth P100,000, while the fish caught were valued at P10,000.
Abacaro and Damasco were taken to the Concepcion Municipal Police Station. Authorities are preparing charges against them for alleged violation of the Philippine Fisheries Code.
The seven other fishermen were released after processing. The seized boats and equipment remain under the custody of the provincial task force.
The provincial government said the confiscated fish would be donated to government hospitals for inmates and charitable institutions.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said authorities would continue patrolling local waters to stop illegal fishing and protect the livelihood of small-scale fishermen.IMT
