ILOILO City – A local fisherman was apprehended for allegedly manufacturing dynamite intended for illegal fishing activities.
The arrest took place at his home in Barangay Lantangan, South Gigantes Island, Carles, Iloilo on Wednesday afternoon.
Identified only as “Naro”, 50, the suspect was caught during a buy-bust operation at 4:30 p.m. led by Major Janvier Gilza, the Iloilo station chief of the Regional Maritime Unit 6 (RMU-6).
The operation stemmed from a month-long surveillance after receiving tips about Naro’s activities.
Gilza and his team posed as buyers, purchasing dynamite worth P3,000 used in illegal fishing, which led to Naro’s arrest.
Recovered from the suspect’s residence were two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a detonating cord, a fish finder, a dive mask, a spear gun, and other illegal fishing paraphernalia.
According to Major Gilza, Naro has been a significant supplier of dynamite to local fishermen in Carles. He mentioned a supplier from Masbate but declined to disclose their identity.
Naro faces charges under Republic Act (RA) 9516 for unlawful manufacture, sales, and possession of explosives, as well as RA 10554 for engaging in fishing using explosive substances.
RMU-6 chief, Colonel Ervin Glenn Provido, said this arrest is part of a broader crackdown on illegal fishing practices in northern Iloilo, emphasizing the need to target those who produce dynamite for such activities.
The operation also involved multiple officers, including Police Senior Master Sergeants Alan Lasat and Ali Palomo, Staff Sergeants Randolph Bayting, Yasser Sausa, and Niel Espadon Aligante, along with Patrolmen Mark Aaron Pantia, Vicent Par, Jan Jan Sabangan, and Derick Zamora./PN
