Task Group Laban COVID-19 Water Cluster arrested six (6) fishermen engaged in illegal fishing and possessed illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia along the vicinity waters off Barangay Sucat, Muntinlupa City yesterday, 31 March 2020.

While conducting seaborne patrol, the task group sighted an unmarked motorbanca using an illegal fishing gear commonly known as ‘suro’.

Said fishing gear is prohibited under Republic Act No. 10654 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 due to its destructive impact to the marine environment.

The task group called the attention of the fishermen onboard, but instead of submitting to inspection, the fishermen sped up their motorbanca to avoid the authorities.

The task group pursued the fishermen who were identified as 51-year-old Bernardino Aquino, 39-year-old Alexis Viray, 32-year-old Hermond Ayuran, 32-year-old Erwin Alday, 30-year-old Julius Aquino, and 27-year-old Raymond Santiago – residents of Barangay Navotas, Cardona, Rizal.

During the inspection, the team discovered that the suspects, aside from engaging in illegal fishing, were also using methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘shabu’ during their operations.

Viray admitted that he was the owner of the bag were the illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were found.

The fishermen, including the intercepted illegal fishing gears, illegal drugs, and drug paraphernalia, were turned over to the Muntinlupa Police and Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation and filing of appropriate charges.