By Rina “Jiji” Jaylo
SURIGAO CITY— Cognizant of the urgency
to protect marine life and giant coral reefs in the city’s biggest fish
sanctuary against illegal fishing, the local PNP Maritime station on Thursday,
December 19, made a commitment to provide a round-the-clock police protection to
Brgy. Buenavista Fish Sanctuary in a joint undertaking with barangay officials.
P/Insp Andres Banquel, Jr., commander
of PNP Maritime 1301st station, said he was saddened to know that the
fish sanctuary has been constantly raided by illegal fishermen who used noxious
substances and tiny nets to catch fishes.
“We learned that this kind of illegal
fishing goes unabated and is rampant in Brgy. Buenavista. We’re empathic with
the locals’ predicament because they were caught in a situation where barangay
authorities were just being ignored by illegal fishers,” told Banquel, saying “henceforth
we would be conducting sea patrol together with barangay officials and other
volunteers to ensure the protection of these marine resources”.
Kagawad Noel “Weweng” Llesis, number one
councilor in the said barangay, disclosed that the previous barangay officials
did not take a step forward to protect their fish sanctuary from illegal
fishing due to lack of interest and lack of political will.
“As newly-elected officials, I and my
colleagues in the barangay council, as well as Punong Barangay Romeo Alcala,
are determined to put an end to this rampant ‘rape’ and destruction of our
marine resources. Hence, we’re enlisting the help of P/Inspector Andres
Banquel, Jr. to ensure maximum protection of our fish sanctuary and the
eventual arrest of any malefactors,” Llesis stressed.
He said the barangay council of
Buenavista and the PNP Maritime 1301st station will be organizing
next week a group of volunteers to be known as Brgy. Buenavista Fish Sanctuary
Brigade which will serve as support group of the maritime police in protecting
the said marine habitat. (RJaylo/SurigaoToday)
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