Gov’t forces arrest seven for alleged illegal fishing off Tawi-tawi

October 26, 2020

Government forces apprehended seven fishermen for alleged dynamite fishing off the waters of Tawi-tawi last Saturday, a military official said on Monday.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. WestMinCom commander,  said based on the report from Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, troops from the 312th Marine Company-Sibutu detachment received a phone call from Sibutu Municipal Mayor Alsheefa Pajiji regarding alleged dynamite fishing within their municipality.

Vinluan said the Marines immediately coordinated with the tactical operations squadron of the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Coast Guard substation in the municipality and conducted a seaborne patrol in Barangay Taungoh to verify this.

“The operation resulted in the apprehension of seven fishermen and the confiscation of several illegal fishing paraphernalia,” he said..

Vinluan identified the apprehended fishermen as Namli Romas, 28; Balli Kengli, 30; Misganda Solomon, 25; Namli Laja, 19; Herman Sayjuwan, 25; Laja Batuk, 20; and Uwang Sayjuwan, 30, all of Sitangkai, Tawi-tawi.

Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi Commander Col. Arturo Rojas said  operating troops seized several improvised dynamites (bungbung), six detonators, and nine double-engine  indigenous motor launch from them.

“They are conducting illegal fishing in the south side of Sibutu to hide from the eyes of the authorities and eventually return to Sitangkai undetected,” Rojas said.

The apprehended fishermen and the confiscated items were turned over to the Sibutu Municipal police Station for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges.

“We urge the people residing in the island municipalities or the shorelines to immediately report any illegal fishing activity in their area,” Vinluan said.

"The military does not only focus on ending terrorism and violent extremism but, we also conduct law enforcement operations together with our counterparts to curb the illegal activities such as smuggling and illegal fishing in our area of operation,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS