LINGAYEN—More than 50 sacks of shellfish suspected to have originated from the coastal towns of Bolinao and Anda, where a red tide alert is currently in place, were confiscated by the police at a checkpoint in Barangay Tara, Bolinao evening of December 2.

Seized were sacks of mussels and oysters, which were being transported in a mini-bus bound for Dagupan City.

The police also arrested three persons on board the mini-bus and booked them for violation of fishery regulations.

Arrested were Cristobal Ibasan Jr., 50, driver of the mini-bus and a resident of Barangay Alacan, San Fabian; Marlon Untalan, 34, of Barangay Baay, Lingayen; and Rodel Ocon, 28, of Barangay Sampaloc, Bolinao.

The shellfish ban in Bolinao and Anda was issued two weeks ago by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) based on recent water test results.

The checkpoint, manned up by the Bolinao Police Station together with Municipal Administrator Wilfredo Castelo and Fishery Officer Flor Garcia, was in compliance with BFAR’s Red Tide bulletin.–Hilda M. Austria

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