By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Two residents of Balete, Aklan, were charged with selling illegally caught fish at the Libas Fishing Port in Barangay Libas, Roxas City.
PCpt. Semdan Sitchon, station chief of the Capiz Maritime Police, said charges for violating Republic Act 10654 (Section 126) or “Possessing, Dealing in or Disposing Illegally Caught or Taken Fish” were filed on Nov. 29 before the City Prosecutor’s Office against “Jomar,” 25, and “Christopher,” 26, both residents of Balete.
Sitchon said the Capiz Maritime Police, in coordination with the Carles Maritime Police, monitored a delivery truck from Antique province suspected of carrying dynamited fish.
On Nov. 28, authorities confirmed the information and intercepted the delivery truck at Libas Fishing Port. Two individuals were apprehended, and three boxes of suspected dynamited fish were confiscated.
The confiscated fish were submitted to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), where a fish examiner confirmed that the catch had been obtained through dynamite fishing.
Sitchon clarified that some of the confiscated fish species were also banned from being harvested in the Visayan Sea due to the ongoing closed season.
The suspects are currently in the custody of the Roxas City Police but are expected to post bail as the charges are bailable offenses.
Meanwhile, two individuals were arrested on Nov. 27 for illegal fishing, or “trawling,” in the seawaters of Panay, Capiz.
Authorities identified the suspects as “Mark,” a boat captain, and “Jude,” a crew member, both residents of Barangay Butacal in Panay town.
Confiscated from the suspects were a fishing boat, fishing gear, and five kilograms of assorted fish.
Charges for violating the Municipal Fisheries Code of 2012 (Ordinance No. 3, Series of 2012) were filed against them.
