Navy Foils Illegal Fishing Off Ligao Waters

Legazpi City (8 December) -- In a joint maritime law enforcement patrol, operatives of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol) and Albay Provincial Fishery Office (APFO) apprehended F/B Draven Cedrick for illegal fishing activities around 2:40 am on December 5, 2010 at vicinity about four nautical miles off south of Barangay Maonon, Ligao City, a navy officer disclosed to PIA News Service.

Lt. Darwin Nieva, Navforsol spokesperson, bared that the fishing vessel was apprehended for violations of the Fisheries Code of 1998 ot RA 8550, specifically on Section 86 (unauthorized fishing or engaging in other unauthorized fisheries activities), Section 93 (illegal use of superlight) and Section 104 (commercial fishing vessel operators employing unlicensed fisher folk or fishworker or crew).

Nieva said apprehended violators were Wilfredo Roranes, the skipper of F/B Draven Cedrick and three other (3) crew members. The 16 meter long fishing boat is registered to Mr Roderick Apuli of Legazpi City.

APFO, meanwhile, reported that the apprehended vessel, including paraphernalia and fish catch, costs some P1 million.

Nieva furthered that the apprehended fishing vessel and crew were already turned over to APFO for custody and filling of appropriate case.

Commodore Joel E Babas, commander of Navforsol, has commended the crew members of Diesel Fast Craft 338 for the successful apprehension of the illegal fishers and fishing paraphernalia.

Babas said that the significant accomplishment of DF338 bespeaks of the Navy's commitment and dedication to protect the maritime areas from illegal fishing activities. (DFNieva, PAO NFSL/PIA/mal)