The Philippine National Police arrested 29 individuals and seized P10.12 million worth of fishing vessels, prohibited gear, and other equipment in four separate anti-illegal fishing operations conducted from July 4 to the early hours of July 5, 2026.
The PNP said the operations were part of its nationwide campaign against illegal fishing and supported the government’s efforts under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to protect the country’s marine resources.
The campaign is also aligned with the PNP Focused Agenda through Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which prioritizes stronger coordination and effective law enforcement.
In Cebu, personnel of the Cebu Maritime Law Enforcement Team and the Regional Maritime Unit 7 conducted a seaborne patrol about 14 kilometers off Carnaza Island in Daanbantayan on the morning of July 4.
The operation led to the arrest of three Filipino crew members of a commercial fishing vessel. Authorities also confiscated a medium-sized fishing vessel, fishing paraphernalia, approximately 300 kilograms of assorted fish, a GPS unit, and other equipment valued at approximately P1.62 million.
Later that afternoon in the municipal waters of Orion, Bataan, personnel of the Orion Municipal Police Station and the local Bantay Dagat conducted another anti-illegal fishing operation.
The operation resulted in the apprehension of 19 Filipino fishermen and the confiscation of a fishing boat worth approximately P2.9 million. The PNP said the violators were later released after paying the prescribed administrative fine, in accordance with applicable fisheries regulations.
In Zamboanga City, operatives of the Maritime Police Station conducted a seaborne patrol in the waters of Barangay Sangali on the evening of July 4.
Police arrested two Filipino suspects and seized a modified Danish seine, fishing nets, improvised fishing accessories, two boat engines, and four boxes of assorted fish. The confiscated equipment was estimated at P1.6 million.
In Iloilo, a joint operation by the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, the Regional Intelligence Unit 6, and the Bantay Dagat Task Force led to the arrest of five Filipino fishermen in the waters off Barangay Malangabang, Concepcion, during the early hours of July 5.
Authorities confiscated four fishing boats, fishing paraphernalia, and assorted fish with an estimated value of more than P4 million.
The PNP said all arrested individuals are of legal age and are undergoing the appropriate legal process, while the seized items remain under the custody of concerned operating units and partner agencies.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. commended the operating personnel for their coordinated efforts in protecting the country’s marine resources.
“Ang ating mga karagatan ay hindi lang likas na yaman—kabuhayan din ito ng napakaraming Pilipino. Kaya tuloy-tuloy nating ipatutupad ang batas laban sa illegal fishing, hindi lang para mapanagot ang mga lumalabag, kundi para matiyak na may mapapakinabangan pa ang mga susunod na henerasyon. Gagawin natin ito nang may integridad, paggalang sa batas, at sa karapatan ng bawat isa,” Chief PNP said.
Nartatez also reminded coastal communities and members of the fishing industry to comply with fisheries laws and cooperate with authorities to protect the country’s marine environment.