(Regional Maritime Unit 3 chief Police Col. Joseph Javier with barangay officials before releasing ornamental exotic fishes at the shoreline of Barangay Libertador, Candelaria, Zambales. Photo by Johnny R. Reblando)
IBA, Zambales – Three fishermen illegally transporting aquarium fishes were nabbed by joint elements of Zambales PNP and 302nd Maritime Police on a checkpoint in Barangay Malimanga, Candelaria town.
In his report to newly installed chief of Regional Maritime Unit 3 Police Col. Joseph Javier, Police Maj. Virgilio Carodan, head of 302nd Maritime Police Station, identified those arrested as George Borja y Olaso, 52, of Barangay Sta. Lucia, Masinloc; Verdie Lorenzo y Prado, 40, of Barangay San lorenzo, Masinloc; and Terencio Coral y Salinguhay, 55, of Barangay Lipay, Sta Cruz, all in Zambales.
Confiscated from the suspects were 3,800 pieces of ornamental exotic fishes on board a passenger-type jeepney.
Carodan said some of the aquarium fishes confiscated were released at the shoreline in Barangay Libertador, Candelaria town witnessed by barangay officials, representatives of the fisheries and aquatic resources management council and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Zambales.
Other confiscated aquarium fishes were brought to BFAR Regional Office for examination.
Arrested suspects were facing charges for violation of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 233.
