Police and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officials in Quezon have assured local fisherfolk that they would intensify their patrol of the province’s waters to stop the activities of commercial fishers who have been reported to be employing armed men in their illegal operations. Quezon provincial police director Col. Ledon Monte admitted that the maritime police lacked faster vessels that could keep up with commercial fishing boats, but said “we already have plans in place on how to arrest them (illegal fishers).” Monte, in an interview on Wednesday, confirmed reports by fishermen and local environmentalists about the escalating tension in the waters off Quezon caused by the operations of commercial fishing boats protected by armed crew.

Mallari, D. T. Jr. (2024, January 26). Cops, PCG vow to protect Quezon’s Lamon Bay vs illegal fishing. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A11.