Goodbye to the bongbong

WHEN Supt. Leopoldo Rivera assumed his post as chief of the San Fabian police force late last year, he vowed to address illegal fishing in the town’s coastal area as one of his main agenda. True to his word, three men believed to be part of a crime group engaged in the continued proliferation of dynamite fishing were arrested last week.

Among those arrested, Ernesto Gadayos, is a barangay kagawad – and we must emphasize that that is an elected local government official – who is believed to be the leader and financier of the gang. His cohorts are Herminio Ramirez and Ernesto Dulay.

People on the ground have long known who are involved in the production and distribution of bongbong, an improvised explosive widely used for dynamite fishing. But it requires political will to actually make arrests. Rivera, working alongside the provincial Special Operations Group led by its director Supt. Rudolph Dimas, demonstrated their resolve to gather evidence, secure the necessary warrants, and execute the seizure of illegal wares as well as the apprehension of the alleged offenders.

This successful police action is a positive development not just for San Fabian but also in other coastal areas of northwestern Pangasinan and southern La Union. But the story should not simply close at this happy ending.

The more progressive thinking coastal communities around the country have long abandoned dynamite fishing knowing that it is one of the most vicious among the many illegal fishing methods – it not only indiscriminately kills the fish population, it also leaves a lasting damage to the coral reefs and exposes fishermen to a very high degree of danger. The impact of dynamite fishing to the environment, the people and the fishing industry is much too long lasting and could be irreversible. Dynamite fishing is an embodiment of selfishness, ignorance, and utter indolence.

Catching those who promote this atrocious act is a major achievement and kudos is certainly due to the police force for an exemplary job. But this is just a first step.

The other institutions must now take up the cudgel to ensure that the efforts and achievement of Rivera, Dimas and their men will not go to naught. The courts must see to it that the offenders see their day in court and when duly proven, serve their prison terms.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the local government units, non-government organizations, and the fishing communities themselves must now make a concerted effort to guarantee that the likes of Gadayos, Ramirez and Dulay will not re-emerge sooner or later by finding sustainable options for livelihood and development. A marine sanctuary project is also a crucial consideration at this point following decades of destruction.

It is possible to utilize and benefit from our natural resources without compromising the ecological balance. There are many success stories to learn from. It is not too late.

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