Police in Oriental Mindoro apprehended an unregistered fishing vessel with 20 crew members operating without a permit, seizing equipment, the boat, and catch valued at about 2.65 million pesos.
The Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office carried out the operation on Monday during a seaborne patrol near Buyayao Island in Barangay San Roque, Bulalacao town.
Officers from the Bulalacao Municipal Police Station intercepted the vessel named Jhon Maisiel. Verification with the Bulalacao Municipal Agriculture Office confirmed that the vessel and its crew lacked valid fishing permits or registration, violating Municipal Ordinance No. 98-09-017.
Authorities confiscated the fishing boat valued at 1.5 million pesos, an Isuzu 6BG1 engine worth 100,000 pesos, fishing nets worth 1 million pesos, and 350 kilograms of galunggong estimated at 52,500 pesos. The items were turned over to the Bulalacao Municipal Agriculture Office.
Col. Edison Revita, Oriental Mindoro police director, stated that illegal fishing threatens the livelihood of local fisherfolk and the sustainability of marine resources.
