ILOILO City – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) had arrested 304 illegal fishers and impounded 162 fishing vessels in four months.
Data showed that from April 19 to August 13 this year, the IPPO, together with the Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force, had conducted 121 operations across the province, particularly in northern Iloilo.
“The data showed that our men positively responded to our order to give focus on illegal fishers who are operating in their area of assignment. We will continue our campaign to curb illegal fishing and protect our marine protected areas,” said Colonel Bayani Razalan, IPPO director.
Razalan said he also tapped other government agencies, government forces and local government units to help them eradicate illegal fishing.
He also appealed to the public to report to the nearest police station those who engage in illegal fishing.
The Regional Maritime Unit 6 (RMU-6), for its part, committed to further help the IPPO in the campaign against illegal fishing.
“We have to help the Bantay Dagat and IPPO in running after illegal fishers who damaged our fishing grounds,” said Colonel Ervin Glenn Provido, commander of RMU-6.
Provido added that he ordered his men anew to intensify crackdown on illegal fishing not only in northern Iloilo but also in the whole Western Visayas.
From April to July this year, the RMU-6 had arrested 30 individuals for illegal fishing./PN
