Lawmen arrest sea bandits operating in Lagonoy waters

By Jason B. Neola

LAGONOY, Camarines Sur — In a dramatic daytime crackdown, authorities swooped down on two fishermen who were caught red-handed in a brazen act of illegal fishing using an air compressor—a method outlawed for its devastating impact on marine life.

The suspects, identified only as alias “Rey,” 39, and “David,” 50, both residents of Lagonoy, were arrested at around 10:00 AM on June 17, 2025, while operating in the municipal seawaters of Lagonoy.

The duo was caught in the act as they plundered the sea with their air compressor gear, disregarding the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.

The joint operation, spearheaded by the Philippine Coast Guard Tamban Sub-Station led by Petty Officer 2 Allan N. Mapusao, in coordination with the Lagonoy Municipal Police Station, the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), and vigilant Bantay Dagat enforcers, was a swift and coordinated assault against illegal fishing activities plaguing the town’s coastal waters.

Seized from the suspects were a motorized banca powered by a Yamada 6.5HP engine valued at P70,000, a complete air compressor set with a 100-meter hose worth P20,000, and two kilos of illegally caught fish valued at P500.

Despite the small volume, the method used—a dangerous and banned practice—posed a serious threat to marine ecosystems, particularly juvenile fish stocks.

Under Republic Act 8550, or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines, the use of air compressors for fishing is strictly prohibited, as it indiscriminately captures even immature marine species and endangers underwater biodiversity.

The suspects were read their constitutional rights in the local dialect and taken to the Lagonoy Municipal Police Station where charges are being readied. All confiscated items are currently under the custody of the MAO for appropriate disposition.

Law enforcement authorities urge the public to be vigilant and report any illegal activities or suspicious individuals in their communities through the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office hotlines or its official Facebook page, ensuring continued protection of the province’s natural marine wealth.

CONFISCATED Illegal fishing gear used by the suspects, including a motorized banca and air compressor set, now in the hands of authorities following the daring sea raid. Photo courtesy of Lagonoy MPS