Four men nabbed for extracting sand in Lapu

Four men were arrested after they were caught illegally extracting sand in the shore of barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.

Chris Obenza, 32; Jordan Catarig, 39; Dario Obenza, 40; and Timotio Bermil, 45; will be charged for violating Section 92 of the Republic Act 8550 or the Ban on Gathering, Selling, Exporting of White Sand, Silica, Pebbles, and Other Substances that make up the Marine Habitat.

The arrested persons are from barangay Himinsulan in San Francisco town, Camotes Island.

Operatives of the Task Force Kalikasan also ended up arresting three other men for illegal fishing.

Caster Pitogo, 24; Rogelio Pitogo, 56; and Arcadio Cañamo, 63, all residents of sitio Malingin barangay Punta Engaño, were arrested for fishing without permit, a violation of a city ordinance.

During the operation, PO3 Kent Lisen and members of the Coastal Law Enforcement of Lapu-Lapu City rushed to Mactan and seized 50 sacks of white sands.

The arrested persons from Camotes said they they were supposed to sell the white sands to a newly constructed resort in barangay Maribago.

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