BUTUAN CITY -- Through sustained effort to protect marine life, the Caraga police conducted anti-illegal fishing operations resulting to the arrests of 11 suspects in different parts of the region on Sunday, May 14.

PBGen. Pablo G. Labra II, Police Regional Office (PRO)13 director, divulged that personnel of Basilisa Municipal Police Station (MPS) captured Rene Jay A. Malazarte, 19 years old, Benjie B. Maluto, 43 years old, Mark Anthony T. Gantala, 23 years old, and Lemer I. Danao, 34 years, all residents of Basilisa, Dinagat Islands in four separate operations.

The four suspects, charged with violation of Municipal Ordinance No. 23 Series of 2021 or illegal fishing, yielded a total amount of P260,000 worth of illegal fishing equipment and paraphernalia.

In addition, Bayabas MPS in Surigao del Sur arrested two suspects while San Jose MPS, Tubajon MPS, and Libjo MPS in Dinagat Islands arrested one person each involved in illegal fishing activities. 

Alegria MPS and San Benito MPS in Surigao del Norte also nabbed one person each.

These anti-illegal fishing operations were part of the implementation of  the region's top cop program thrust “DADDI,” highlighting the protection and preservation of our environment and natural resources.

“As one of the richest coastal areas of the Philippines in terms of natural and marine resources, the men and women of PNP Caraga have maintained their strongest stance against those people who violate our environmental laws,” Labra said. (PMaj. Jennifer S. Ometer, PIO, PRO 13/PIA Caraga)