Maritime police arrested 16 individuals for illegally fishing in Jabongga, Agusan del Norte while conducting seaborne patrol on Friday (July 12).
Authorities immediately arrested the individuals who were boarded in three motorboats.
Chief of the 130th maritime police station in Butuan City Police Major Pedro Gorre Jr. said the fishermen had no permit from the local government of Jabongga to fish.
“Ginagawa na nila dati iyan. Actually iyan isang bangka the other night nag seaborne din kami naabutan namin iyan kaso hindi sila naka-ano ng fishing net nila (They have actually done that before. We actually saw one of these boats when we had our seaborne patrol the other day but their fishing net were not used),” he said.
The arrested fishermen will undergo inquest proceedings and will face charges for violating Republic Act 10654 or Unauthorized Fishing.
Meanwhile, one of the fishermen Predelie Bayeta said they were unaware that there is a need for a permit from the local government.
The fishermen are currently detained at the Maritime Police Station. Authorities also seized the boats they used.—AAC (with reports from Raymond Octobre)
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