The seaborne patrol operations were conducted at the High Seas of Illana Bay, some 15-nautical miles away from the sea water of Pagadian City. The operations lead by the elements of Philippine Navy headed by Commander Noel Felicia of the BRP Pangasian Naval.

The 21 individuals aboard their motorized pump boats were caught on the act harassing fishing boats. The suspects suddenly appeared and took their fish without asking permission using scoops known as “SIkPAW or SIBOT” used to catch fish from the net while still at the sea water, Allan Molde, Provincial Information Officer told the reporters.

Allan Molde who was with the conduct of the 3rd operations just to witness how the arrest was being conducted against the suspects, “the presence alone of the individual suspects aboard their motorized bancas at the high seas overnight without having their fishing gears or paraphernalias for fishing except this ‘SIGPAW or SIBOT’ is already questionable,” Molde explained during the presentation of the suspects to the media on board the Naval Boat at the wharf area on early morning of Tuesday March 25, 2008.

BFAR authorities said that a possession of un-registered motorized banca used in fishing is a violation under RA 6550 otherwise known as the Fishery Law.

“Those suspects arrested are not fishermen because in the first place they don’t have with them any fishing paraphernalia to conduct fishing in the area. The suspects are believed to be members of a syndicate engaged in robbery at sea,” Commander Felicia said.

The conduct of operations against criminalities in the sea waters of Zamboanga del Sur particularly in the high seas of Illana Bay was in response of the clamor of the people in the fishing industry who are already affected for quite a time by criminalities at the High Seas.

“I am very much happy and thankful for the full support of our Local Government Units in the area particularly to the Governor Auring Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur and to Pagadian City Mayor Sammy Co that gave us the morale and courage in the conduct of our mission. Actually, Law enforcement is only 10%, the 90% are coming from the cooperation specially from the LGUs and also from the business community particularly from the fishing industry.

Those arrested are only small fish, our main target really are the big ones behind this crimes. We are now implementing a security system as our lasting effort within the sea waters of Zamboanga del Sur, that even without the Navy Boat, the Naval presence is still their,” Commander Felicia disclosed.

The suspects are now temporary detained at the lock-up cell in Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO), Camp Abelon for further investigation and proper disposition of the case.

Last update : 11-04-2008 15:44

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