NBI to probe illegal Chinese-owned fishpens in Pangasinan

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into the national security implications of illegal Chinese-owned fishpens in Pangasinan that were raided recently.

According to a 24 Oras report by John Consulta, almost 500 illegal fish cages were discovered in the town of Sual just 200 meters away from the Sual Power Plant.

Left unchecked, fish escaping from the farm could disrupt the power supply of the plant and cause a blackout throughout Luzon.

“Mushrooming of bangus… ‘Yung mga nakatakas sa fishpen, it will affect the cooling off system ng power plant. The operation of the power plant will be disrupted, affecting Luzon-wide power distribution, magkakaroon ng blackout. Actually, mayroon na ngang nangyaring ganito way back 2013,” said NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD) and Special Task Force (STF) chief Attorney Jeremy Lotoc.

(Mushrooming of milkfish… The ones that escaped the fishpen will affect the cooling off system of the power plant. The operation of the power plant will be disrupted, affecting Luzon-wide power distribution, then a blackout would occur. Actually, there was already something like that that happened way back in 2013.)

Considering the scale of the possible blackout, the NBI is looking at the situation as a possible threat to national security.

“Baka ginawa lang ito intended for purposes other than business because this is being operated by foreign nationals. May possible implication doon sa national security, considering it can disrupt or sabotage a major power source,” said NBI Spokesperson Regional Director Ferdinand Lavin.

(This could have only been done for purposes other than business because this is being operated by foreign nationals. There is a possible implication on our national security, considering it can disrupt or sabotage a major power source.)

During its raid of the illegal fishpen, the NBI rescued 10 trafficking victims who were employed in the establishment, nine of these were minors with two pregnant after possibly being raped.

According to the victims, they were tasked to continuously feed the fish and were paid only P150 a day, but were required to carry 50 sacks of feed daily. They were required to work 11 hours a day.

The NBI added the victims were made to sleep in small, dirty rooms, and were told to use fake IDs to appear older.

“These are the fish cages where the minors are working from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. Each child is standing on one fishpen feeding continuously,” said NBI CCD Agent-on-Case Rhainier dela Cruz.

Two Chinese citizens were arrested during the operation, and are facing charges of Trafficking in Persons and violating the Child Labor Law. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News