Its officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant Reynaldo Dauden Jr. yesterday, October 17, said the confiscation was in response to the help sought by Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante on October 14, 2022.
In fact, Dauden said they have confiscated seven small fishing boats in Barangay Punta Mesa for allegedly operating illegally at the sea waters protected by an existing municipal ordinance.
They also destroyed the crab sanctuary in the area, he said, adding that these were called “hulbot-hulbot” before but they made some modifications on their boats which are now called “bodol.”
“This has been the problem in these areas in Manapla,” Dauden also said.
He also denied the extortion allegation of some small fishing boat operators that they are paying P100 per trip to the Maritime Police and that their boats will be released if they pay P5,000.
“We know that it’s their means of livelihood but they have been aware that bodol or hulbot-hulbot is totally banned as stated under Section 97 of Republic Act 10694,” the official pointed out.*