By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Capiz condemned the recent bombing of two patrol boats of the Provincial Bantay Dagat (PBD) in Barangay Balogo Pilar, Capiz.
On Monday, July 15, the provincial board passed a resolution condemning the attack that destroyed the patrol boats.
The resolution, which was co-authored by all members of the provincial board, also called on the Capiz Provincial Police Office to conduct an investigation into the incident.
Capiz Governor Fredenil Castro expressed dismay over the bombing, which resulted in the total destruction of the boats.
According to Glendofer Beup, PBD provincial coordinator, the governor initiated the formation of the PBD upon assuming office with a vision to protect Capiz’s marine resources.
However, these good intentions have been sabotaged by some individuals.
The Mitsubishi 4D30 engine, colored red and yellow, and the Yamaha double engine, colored blue, were destroyed when unidentified suspects lobbed dynamites on the evening of July 11, 2024.
The police recovered a bottle of dynamite that failed to explode from a patrol speedboat near the destroyed boats.
Despite the attack, the Capiz Provincial Bantay Dagat will continue its anti-illegal fishing operations.
Police Major Alfred del Leon, Pilar police chief, said they will be joined by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the operation.
He said the agency would not be deterred from protecting Capiz’s marine resources and coral reefs.
“We conclude that the suspects might be those we pursued during last week’s anti-illegal fishing operation of the Bantay Dagat,” Del Leon said.
Prior to the incident, the Provincial Bantay Dagat pursued a group of fishing boats from Barangay Guinticgan Carles, Iloilo, that were conducting illegal fishing activities using dynamite.
However, the fishermen managed to escape from authorities.
The Provincial Bantay Dagat is currently intensifying its anti-illegal fishing operations in the seawaters of Capiz.
Several individuals have been arrested and charged in court for violating anti-illegal fishing laws and ordinances.
