To protect marine life, Surigao del Norte (SDN) police conducted anti-illegal fishing operations. It resulted in the arrest of two suspects and confiscated illegal fishing paraphernalia in a separate operation yesterday, December 18.
Provincial Director Police Colonel Laudemer M. Laude identified the fishermen suspects as Alfredo G. Sulapas, 46 years old, and resident of Barangay Pilaring, Pilar, and Romeo Lade, 32 years old, and a resident of Sitio El Rio Barangay Poblacion, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte.
Based on the report, Pilar Municipal Police Station (MPS) personnel arrested Sulapas around 10:15 AM while conducting a seaborne patrol in the vicinity of Barangay Pilaring seawaters in Pilar town. Barangay Pilaring seawater is protected as a municipal sanctuary, thus prohibiting individuals from fishing in the area.
Confiscated from his possessions were one pair of spear guns, two pieces of plastic flippers, locally known as “Kapay,” one pair of goggles, and five kilograms of assorted fish with an estimated market value of Php 900.00.
Meanwhile, Bacuag MPS conducted an anti-illegal fishing operation yesterday at about 1:40 PM in the marine protected area of Barangay Poblacion, Bacuag, and arrested Lade for violating Municipal Ordinance No. 005 Series of 2007 (An Ordinance Establishing a Marine/Fish Sanctuary in the Municipality of Bacuag to be Known as the Bacuag Marine/Fish/Seagrass Sanctuary).
Seized from Lade’s possession were one fishnet with an estimated length of 25 meters and assorted fish with an estimated weight of four kilos and a market value of Php 480.00.
“These anti-illegal fishing operations are part of our campaign to help protect and preserve our environment, cultural properties, and natural resources. The police force of Surigao del Norte will continue to work in harmony with our local environmental officers to curb illegal fishing activities,” PD Laude said.
They were detained in the custodial facilities of the arresting municipal police stations together with confiscated items while preparing charges against them.
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(Source: Surigao Del Norte Ppo Facebook account)