Police arrested seven persons on charges of illegal fishing in waters off Getafe town on Tuesday.
According to SPO1 Roel Lagura of the Getafe Police Station, the fishermen were rounded up in two operations conducted at 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.
The men from both groups were caught in the act of using active fishing gear, said Lagura.
They were arrested by the Getafe police’s seaborne patrol team led by SPO1 Lino Lugod and authorities from the municipal fish warden.
The suspects were detained by the Getafe police and were later released after paying P2,500 each as stipulated in a municipal ordinance.
Lagura identified the first arrested suspects as Lino Pechoco, 27, and Benedicto Mejasco, 49, who were caught in waters off Jandayan.
The other nabbed suspects were identified as Pedro Tirol, 45; J.R Sobrio, 32; Julie Jabonero, 29; Prenstone Jay Minguito, 23; and Rey Socobos, 24. They were arrested near Pandanon Island in Getafe.
According to Lagura, police also confiscated from the suspects 7 kilos of assorted fish, a compressor, two pumpboats, and two hoses. (R. Tutas)