CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – Six persons were arrested for illegal fishing in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur on Saturday, November 4.
Police Regional Office-13 Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said Agusan del Sur police arrested two individuals from Bunawan and one from La Paz. Seized from them were three electro fishing devices with an estimated market value of P3,000.
The Surigao del Sur police nabbed three suspects, two from Cortes and one from Cantilan. Suspects were caught using prohibited fishing materials such as fishing nets with fine mesh known as "baling" and triple nets.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft said the suspects were charged for violating municipal ordinances against illegal fishing and Republic Act No. 10654 or the An Act to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing.
"Enforcement of our environmental laws is also part of our aggressive police operations,” Kraft said. “Those who misuse and destroy our marine resources will be held responsible for the transgressions they commit," he added.