ILOILO City – Operatives of the Regional Maritime Unit 6 (RMU-6) arrested 122 persons for illegal fishing across Western Visayas from May 1 to 31.
RMU-6 director Colonel Ervin Glenn Provido said the month-long operation also resulted to the confiscation of P5 million worth of assorted fish and collection of P1.7 million in fines.
The highest number of arrest was made in Bacolod City with 54, followed by Antique and Iloilo with 16 each.
Provido said the month-long operation was a part of their intensified campaign against illegal fishing activities particularly in northern Iloilo.
“Our unit commanders positively responded to our call to give focus on illegal fishing to help the local police and Bantay Dagat members,” Provido said.
He added: “We are committed to eradicate illegal fishing in our area to preserve our coral reefs and small fish. We are calling the help of the community by giving us information on illegal fishing activity in their place.”
Meanwhile, RMU-6 arrested two illegal fishers in their latest operation on Monday, June 10.
Jison Barte, 31, and Razal Nailat, 34, both residents of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, were caught for using active net or trawl.
They were detained at the Himamaylan City Police Station for proper disposition./PN
