CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – Police arrested 139 individuals for alleged illegal fishing in the sea of the Caraga region from February 24 to 25.

Seized from them by the Police Regional Office-13 were unregulated fishnets, fishing gear, and trawlers, 22 motorized fishing boats, and six non-motorized fishing boats valued at a total of P1,089,000.
The Dinagat Islands Police Provincial Office (PPO) apprehended 70 violators, followed by the Agusan del Norte PPO with 24, Surigao del Sur PPO with 20, Agusan del Sur PPO with 14, and Surigao del Norte PPO with 11.
PRO-13 Regional Public Information Office chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said violators received citation tickets for violating ordinances on illegal fishing. “All the suspects are facing charges for violation of national laws and local ordinances on illegal fishing,” Ometer said.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft lauded field units for their accomplishment.
“PNP-Caraga will continue enforce strict regulations against illegal fishing to protect marine life in various areas in the region,” he said. “We have to mitigate the cascading effects on biodiversity due to the activities of violators of environmental laws.”