EL NIDO, Palawan – Three fishing vessels from Navotas City were apprehended here recently near Lalutaya Island, Barangay Teneguiban, for using super lights.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) El Nido Chapter, along with four personnel reporting to the Joint Task Force Malampaya (JTFM), were responsible for apprehending the three (3) fishing vessels on the evening of May 4.
The vessels were using 4000-watt super lights. The use of such lights is a violation under Municipal Ordinance (MO) No. 01-A, s. 2003. Such violation entails a fine of P5,000 or 2 years imprisonment for each individual, according to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
A PCG report made available Sunday said Coast Guard and JTFM personnel were conducting an evening patrol in the northern waters of the municipality, mainly in Brgy. Teneguiban, when the three boats were spotted around 11:23 p.m.
The fishing vessels were located some 13 kilometers off the mainland and were reportedly using super lights. Authorities said they accosted the vessel while it was in the process of lowering its nets into the water.
The vessels were identified as Morning Glory, Othello, and Monalinda. All were registered under a certain RBL Fishing Corporation registered in Navotas City, Metro Manila.
Boat captains Samuel Nacasi (Morning Glory), Randy Ravina (Othello), and Jose Solomon (Monalinda), along with the rest of their crew, were brought to the Municipal Agricultural Office for further disposition.
