2 arrested for illegal fishing in Oriental Mindoro marine sanctuary

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Two fishermen were arrested before dawn on Saturday, July 4, for allegedly fishing inside a protected marine sanctuary in Mansalay town, police said.

The suspects, aged 41 and 24, both residents of Barangay Budburan, were apprehended in Cabalwa Marine Protected Area, also known as the Fish Sanctuary, in Barangay Cabalwa during a joint law enforcement operation.

The operation was launched after personnel from the 403rd Boat Mobility Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the Mansalay Municipal Police Station acted on a tip from a concerned resident about illegal fishing activities in the protected area.

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Authorities said the two were caught allegedly fishing inside the sanctuary in violation of Mansalay Municipal Fishery Ordinance No. 2006-21, which prohibits fishing within the marine protected area.

Seized from the suspects were about 15 kilograms of assorted reef fish worth approximately P2,250, two sets of arrows, a flashlight, a diving mask, two pairs of improvised diving fins, and an air compressor believed to have been used in the illegal fishing operation.

The suspects are in the custody of the Mansalay Municipal Police Station while charges are being prepared against them.

Police renewed their appeal for public cooperation in protecting marine sanctuaries and urged residents to report illegal fishing activities to authorities. /mcm

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