The Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force together with the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company and Carles Municipal Police Station apprehended illegal fishers on board a steel commercial fishing boat caught red-handed engaging in illegal fishing activity off the waters of Brgy. Punta, Carles, Iloilo on June 9, 2025.
Arrested were the vessel’s pilot Herman Tanes of Brgy. Abung, Carles and his 26 crew who are from various places in Iloilo, Masbate and Negros Occidental.
A blotter report from the Carles Municipal Police Station showed that two IPBDTF patrol boats pursued the vessel after catching them actually engaging in Danish Seine fishing, locally known as hulbot-bulbot, which is prohibited by law.
Sensing the approaching patrol boats, the fishermen intentionally cut their scarring line, fishing net, and tom weight, leaving and concealing them at the bottom of the sea.
They then sped away in their fishing boat in an attempt to evade arrest.
Several fishermen threw ropes in the direction of the patrol boats, intending to block and entangle its propellers.
As the task force was about to reach them, the fishing boat suddenly made a U-turn and collided with the patrol boats, nearly causing one to capsize and resulted in damage to its bow and stern while the other patrol boat’s outrigger was also damaged.
The task force personnel were able to stabilize the patrol boats and fired a shot to defend themselves and subdue the resistance.
Three fishermen sustained injuries and were immediately brought to Jesus M. Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan then transferred to Western Visayas Medical Center for treatment.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the three injured fishermen were eventually discharged in the afternoon of June 11 as they incurred non-serious injuries.
Banias said, all the fishing vessel’s captain and crew were already charged for violation of Sec. 97 in relation to Fisheries Administrative Order 246-1, Sec. 115 and Sec. 123 of RA 10654 (Anti-Illegal Fishing Law) and Art. 148 of Revised Penal Code at the Iloilo Hall of Justice.
The fishing boat and its accessories, fishing gears and other recovered items are at the custody of the IPBDTF while the fish catch of 50 tubs of assorted fish worth more or less Php 75,000.00 will be disposed to the district hospitals and other charitable institutions.
The successful anti-illegal fishing operation is in line with Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr.’s directive to protect marine resources and sustain the campaign against all forms of illegal fishing activities.
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