The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) disclosed Tuesday, Feb. 28, that it has confiscated a fishing boat from a group of fishermen allegedly engaged in illegal sand quarrying off Malamawi Island in Isabela City, Basilan.
The PCG said fishing boat “Under Water” was carrying four fishermen led by its owner, Hassan Adjal, when they were allegedly caught by officials while conducting illegal sand quarrying in the vicinity waters of Barangay Marang-Marang last Feb. 26. “According to the Coast Guard Station Isabela, the fishing boat violated Section 47 of Isabela City Ordinance No. 03-148 (quarrying of the marine habitat),” the PCG stated. Illegal sand quarrying raises various environmental concerns such as damage to landscape which leads to soil erosion.
Adjal and his three companions, whose identities were not divulged, were turned over to the Isabela City Agriculturist Office “for further investigation.” Meanwhile, the PCG turned over the seized fishing boat to the Isabela City Agriculturist Office for documentation and proper disposition.
The PCG said fishing boat “Under Water” was carrying four fishermen led by its owner, Hassan Adjal, when they were allegedly caught by officials while conducting illegal sand quarrying in the vicinity waters of Barangay Marang-Marang last Feb. 26. “According to the Coast Guard Station Isabela, the fishing boat violated Section 47 of Isabela City Ordinance No. 03-148 (quarrying of the marine habitat),” the PCG stated. Illegal sand quarrying raises various environmental concerns such as damage to landscape which leads to soil erosion.
Adjal and his three companions, whose identities were not divulged, were turned over to the Isabela City Agriculturist Office “for further investigation.” Meanwhile, the PCG turned over the seized fishing boat to the Isabela City Agriculturist Office for documentation and proper disposition.