By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Authorities arrested a 37-year-old male boat captain for the employment of unlicensed fishing crew in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro on Saturday morning.
In a news release Sunday, the Philippine National Police said the arrest stemmed from a joint seaborne patrol led by the Occidental Mindoro Maritime Police Station, with support from the Mamburao Municipal Police Station, 402nd Marine Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, and the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Authorities boarded and inspected a commercial fishing vessel, where they uncovered the violation.
Seized during the operation about 11 kilometers off Barangay Tayamaan were assets worth PHP6.96 million, including PHP500,000 worth of assorted fish and the fishing vessel valued at PHP6 million.
The boat captain was taken to the Mamburao Municipal Police Station for documentation and legal processing, with administrative proceedings to be pursued before the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Adjudication Board. (PNA)
