By Jezza A. Nepomoceno

Eight fishermen were arrested over the weekend in two separate operations by the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (IPBDTF) for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing off the coast of Concepcion and Carles.
According to Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Jose Ronnie Panes, the fishermen were caught using a round haul seine, a type of liftnet, locally known as “sinsoro;” along with the use of a trawl without the permission from the local municipal government.
Among those arrested include Meldrid Francisco and Franklyn Aldaya of the M/Bca Meldrid, Judy Gaquit and Ronald Docejo of the M/Bca Joshua, Vincent Amante and Nestor Mosqueda of the M/Bca Rochelle, all of whom were apprehended and originated from Concepcion, Iloilo.
Meanwhile, among those captured in Carles, Iloilo were Editho Salundaga of the M/Bca Jade from Roxas City, Capiz and Noel de la Cruz of the M/Bca Jomar 7 from Pilar, Capiz.
According to Panes, unregistered fishing boats violate Concepcion and Carles municipal ordinances; while the use of active gear, like a trawl within municipal waters, violates RA 10654, or the amended Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
The arrested fishermen are currently detained at municipal police stations, with the exception of Salundaga and De La Cruz, who both entered a bargaining arrangement, agreeing to pay a fee totaling P27,000./WDJ