Man arrested for alleged blast fishing in Manila Bay

The Philippine National Police - Maritime Group seized one of the three fishermen allegedly involved in using explosives to catch fish in Manila Bay.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras”, the suspected jumped into the sea when the authorities tried to arrest them.

The two suspects managed to escape, but authorities caught up with 31-year-old Ryan Navales.

Navales refused to give a statement, but according to the police, the group has been involved in blast fishing for a long time with some fishing groups based in Cavite.

“Madalas na operation nila nasa madaling araw, and ang ginagawa nagpapalit ng kulay ng boat. Madalas na modus nila, Sir, iba yung magpapaputok tapos iba yung kukuha ng boat para hindi talaga sila mahalata,” said Police Major Robert Gutierrez, Station Chief of Northern NCR - PNP Maritime Group.

The authorities recovered about P30,000 worth of dead fish that include bambangin, bakoko and talakitok.

“Nakikipagtulungan tayo sa City Agricultural Office ng Navotas. So sila po yung nag-examine ng mga isda and true enough, nag-positive po sa blast fishing,” he added.

The suspect may face charges of fishing through explosives and obstruction to a fishery law enforcement officer.

Gutierrez underscored that blast fishing destroys the marine environment. -- Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA News