Two “hulbot-hulbot” (Danish Seine) fishing vessels from Tagubanhan, Ajuy, Iloilo fell to the hands of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force last Jan. 28, 2012.

Task Force team leader SPO1 Gilbert Piedad reported that around 8:30 a.m. of said date they spotted an unnamed motorized banca at the vicinity of the marine waters of Brgy. Polopiña, Concepcion engaging in illegal fishing activity.

Piedad said, when the Bantay Dagat patrol boat approached the fishing boat it attempted to escape leaving their fishing paraphernalia under water.

The Bantay Dagat, however, chased the fishing boat which it successfully apprehended.

Upon investigation, the task force identified the boat captain as Gaudencio Amante and his crew on board were: Roy Arostique, Gilbert Balsomo, Ronald Balsomo, and Rizal Arostique; while the owner was identified as Girlie Amante of Brgy. Tagubanhan.

Piedad, however, said that upon reaching the fishport of Concepcion, Gaudencio Amante and Gilbert Balsomo ran and escaped towards an unknown direction.

On the other hand, around 9:30 a.m. the task force apprehended another “hulbot-hulbot” fishing boat named MBCA Karla Mae engaged in unauthorized fishing at the vicinity of the marine waters of Brgy. Bagongon, Concepcion.

On board MBCA Karla Mae, allegedly owned by Tessie Amante also of Brgy. Tagubanhan, were boat captain Arnel Amante and crew William Villaruz, Ronald Makiling, Johnny Nicos, and Antonio Nicos.

Piedad said the arrested fishermen are presently detained at Concepcion Municipal Police while the recovered items including the fishing boats are in the custody of the Provincial Bantay Dagat pending the filing of appropriate charges.*Capitol