Navy to Hunt Armed Trawlers in Albay Coast

RAWIS, LEGAZPI CITY (26 November) - TRAWLERS WITH ACTIVE FISHING GEARS and reportedly armed are plying the fishing grounds of the West Coast of Albay province, specifically the coastal localities of Libon, Ligao, Oas, and Pio Duran, all in this province.

Lt. Commander Edgardo Guevarra, Operations Officer of Naval Forces, Southern Luzon base here, had revealed that in the conducted "Bicol Maritime Security Forum" held last Nov. 24, fisherfolks in the said localities have aired their complaint to Albay Gov. Joey Salceda during that armed trawlers have now affected their livelihood in the said localities.

Multi-sectoral groups also said in the naval forum that big-time illegal logging in the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate have remained unchecked for years, with illegally-cut timber being transported by big-crafts at sea.

Illegal fishing operations were also reported in the fishing lanes of Burias Island and Ticao Pass, also in Masbate province.

Guevarra said that although there are concerned agencies tasked to address the illegal activities, recent reports of armed trawlers prompted a response to deputize the Philippine Navy.

According to Guevarra, they have already sent two crafts, one regular Navy patrol vessel and a Naval environmental craft, to check on the reported armed trawlers.

Meanwhile, the Naval Forces Southern Luzon also reported that the Naval Station in Legazpi City has been renamed "Naval Station Julhasan Arasain" to honor Navy PO2 Julhasan A. Arasain, PN, who was posthumously awarded the "Bronze Cross Medal" for saving the lives of 19 individuals in barangay Busay, Daraga, Albay during the height of typhoon "Reming" in Nov. 29, 2009.

Born from a "Tausug" (warrior clan) in Jolo, Sulu, he married a native of Pio Duran, Albay and raised a family there. During the catastrophic typhoon of 2006, Arasain died saving many in the cascading flow of lahar, (SONNY SALES)