Authorities arrested two fishermen after they were caught engaging in illegal fishing using explosives and a compressor in the waters off Barangay Bato-Bato, Narra, Palawan, on Tuesday, April 22.
The operation was carried out through the joint efforts of the Palawan Maritime Police SOU II, Quezon SBC-Narra Maritime Law Enforcement Team (MLET), Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Narra, and Bantay Dagat Narra.
In addition to the two fishermen—one of whom is a minor and whose names were withheld by the police—authorities also confiscated a motorized boat, a compressor, tanks, hoses, diving equipment, and bottles suspected to contain ammonium nitrate with blasting caps.
According to a report from the Palawan Maritime Police SOU II, the suspects are clearly in violation of Section 92 of Republic Act 10654 (Illegal Fishing), Republic Act 9516 (Illegal Possession and Use of Explosives), and Palawan Provincial Ordinance No. 1643 (Prohibition on the Use of Compressors as Breathing Apparatus).
The suspects and the seized equipment are currently in the custody of the Quezon SBC-Narra MLET for proper disposition.
Meanwhile, authorities reminded all fishermen in Palawan to refrain from using illegal fishing gear, warning that aside from being prohibited by law, such practices pose serious risks to their own safety.
