By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City government will launch a formal investigation into the alleged shooting of a local fisherman by Bantay Dagat personnel from Iloilo in the waters between Bacolod City and Guimaras on Saturday, August 2.

Bacolod Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, confirmed yesterday that the city council is now gathering information to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The victim, a fisherman from the city’s Barangay 2, sustained a gunshot wound and was immediately brought to a hospital, where he is now reported to be in stable condition.

According to Sayson, preliminary reports suggest that the fisherman may have been engaged in illegal fishing activity when he was allegedly shot by Iloilo-based Bantay Dagat enforcers instead of being properly apprehended.

“If confirmed, this is deeply concerning. While we acknowledge the possible violation committed by the fisherman, the response of using live ammunition is disproportionate,” Sayson stated.

He added that if the involvement of the Iloilo Bantay Dagat is verified, he will recommend that Mayor Alfredo Gasataya coordinate with Iloilo City officials to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Sayson also plans to file a resolution on Wednesday, August 6, to formally address the matter through legal and intergovernmental channels.

He issued a reminder to local fishermen to remain within Bacolod’s fishing zones to avoid jurisdictional conflicts and other risks./CJ, WDJ