• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
In its campaign against illegal fishing, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) seized more than P1 million worth of illegal fishing paraphernalia, and arrested 30 suspects for the period of August 18-24.
The police were able to recover various equipment and tools used for illegal fishing amounting to P1,026,700, and confiscated P16,770 worth of fish during its anti-illegal fishing operations.
NOCPPO spokesperson PCapt. Judesses Catalogo said that the nine operations conducted were mostly reported in coastal cities and municipalities across the province. He cited Sipalay City, and the municipalities of Hinigaran and San Enrique, and other coastal areas.
The law under RA 10654, or the Philippine Fisheries Code, prohibits illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
The apprehended individuals will face charges in accordance with the applicable law, Catalogo said.
In the same period, in its campaign against illegal drugs, police recovered 84.97 grams of suspected shabu valued at P577,796 at the standard drug price, and the arrest of 25 drug personalities.
NOCPPO, with its “Armas Baylo Bugas” initiative, successfully recovered seven illegal firearms surrendered by its owner, and recovered 3 more during its operations on illegal firearms.
In terms of intensified manhunt operations, five most wanted individuals have been apprehended, while 48 other wanted persons were also arrested during the period.
Notably, Negros Island Region’s top 2 most wanted person, Angelo Sevilla, who allegedly raped his 13-year-old girlfriend, was nabbed in San Enrique on August 20 during a hot pursuit operation.*
