OLICE have arrested eight fishermen off Zamboanga City for blast fishing, which is prohibited under the law, an official said Monday.
Zamboanga City Police Director Edwin de Ocampo said the arrest was made around 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the vicinity of Pangapuyan and Mimping Islands, east of the city.
Arrested were Yasin Bilmesin, Arani Amilhamja, Muhadi Amilhamja, Danny Amilhamja, Majid Amilhamja, Tabak Alami, Ismael Aril and Mamang Janudin.
De Ocampo said policemen based in Sacol Island were on patrol when they chanced upon a group of fishermen engaged in blast fishing.
However, De Ocampo said two other fishermen aboard a motorized banca managed to escape as they sensed the arrival of the policemen led by Chief Inspector Nonito Asdai.
He said Asdai and his men have confiscated from the fishermen's possession an ice case full of fish of different species and other fishing gears. (Bong Garcia)
Related story: Dynamite blast kills 2, injures 4
