TACLOBAN CITY– The Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) has intensified its patrol of the city’s coastal waters with the help of the Philippine Army.
According to FLET Coordinator Felix Dumlao, the Joint Task Group Tacloban of the 8th Infantry Division, currently headquartered at the former Leyte Park Resort compound, has committed to helping them in the conduct of joint operations to ensure the enforcement of fishery laws and territorial security.
Recently, a representative of the Joint Task Force Tacloban under Deputy Commander LTC Celeste Frank L. Sayson of the Philippine Army made a courtesy visit to FLET for this purpose.
Dumlao said the army will serve as a force multiplier in their active enforcement of Ordinance Number 2016-12-09, which penalizes the use of prohibited fishing equipment, marine vessels with expired permits, and breaches of the city’s coastal waters by fishermen from outside of the city.
FLET, with the use of their floating assets, which consist of two motorized bancas, also safeguards the city’s only marine sanctuary on Dio Island.
Meanwhile, the FLET coordinator highlighted their ongoing initiative to register all fishing vessels three gross tons and below and reminded owners that they have until February 29 or they will be issued a citation ticket, or worse, face a legal sanction.
(H.J.ROCA with reports from E. LAGAHIT/CIO)
