Separate operations by the police in Bato and Baras towns led to the arrest of three persons caught in the act of violating fishery laws.

In Bato town at 2:30 P.M. of Nov. 14, 2019, police officers led by Senior Master Sgt. Joven Basilio apprehended an 18-year old construction worker, identified as Mark David Templonuevo, a resident of Batalay.

The team also rescued three minors who were with the suspect while engaged in illegal fishing off Batalay.

Seized from their possession were a 400-meter fine mesh net, about 20 kilos of assorted fish, and a motorized banca.

Thirty minutes earlier in Baras, two fishermen were arrested by joint elements of town police led by Staff Sgt. Herbert Oliva and the Baras Bantay Dagat Task Force while the duo were engaging in illegal fishing activity inside the marine sanctuary of barangay Moning. .

The team confiscated from the suspects - Jaime Samar, 58, and his son Julix, 24, both of barangay San Miguel – three (3) spear guns, three boat paddles, five improvised foot flippers, about five (5) kilos of assorted fish and a yellow wooden banca.