Three fishermen were arrested after they were allegedly caught engaging in illegal fishing inside the Sagay Marine Reserve during a joint sea patrol operation early Thursday, July 16.
Police identified the suspects only by their aliases “Bebing,” 56, boat captain; “Toto,” 56, crew member; and “Nonoy,” 30, crew member. All are residents of Sitio Mocabog, Barangay Washington, Escalante City.
According to the Sagay Component City Police Station, the suspects were apprehended at around 2:55 a.m. in the Matabas area of the Sagay Marine Reserve during a joint operation with the Sagay Bantay Dagat Task Force.
Authorities said the three were allegedly caught in the act of conducting an illegal fishing method locally known as “pamo.”
Recovered during the operation were a double-engine fishing boat valued at around P55,000, a fishing net worth about P60,000, 20 kilograms of assorted fish valued at P3,400, and a styrofoam box worth P280.
Police estimated the total value of the seized items at P118,680.
The suspects and the recovered items were taken into police custody for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges for alleged violations of fisheries and environmental laws.*
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