Davide: Loy can join war against illegal fishing

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said he doesn’t see anything wrong with Loy Anthony Madrigal’s return in the campaign against anti-illegal fishing in the province.

Despite accepting Madrigal’s resignation as Capitol security consultant, Davide said Madrigal can help curb illegal fishing operations in northern Cebu as a private citizen.

“I think that is what he really wants to do. He can help in that concern. He’s doing it as his advocacy and as a volunteer, as a concerned citizen,” he said in an interview.

Madrigal, together with Bantay Dagat teams from San Remigio, Daanbantayan and Sta. Fe, apprehended 55 crew members aboard two fishing vessels from Cadiz City in Negros Oriental for fishing within municipal waters three days ago.

The governor said he received information about the arrest and Madrigal’s involvement in the operations through Ret. Col. Romeo Tapayan, overall coordinator of the province’s task force against illegal fishing.

Not connected

Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro confirmed that he gave the go-signal for the operations, saying local government units (LGUs) in northern Cebu can benefit from Madrigal’s aggressive style of apprehending illegal fishers.

Corro said Madrigal was appointed by the Sta. Fe municipal government to lead their Bantay Dagat team. But this has yet to be confirmed by Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana.

Davide said Madrigal is “not in any way connected to the province” after stepping down from his post last Sept. 18. Whatever Madrigal does, he said, is now in his capacity as a private citizen.

“Apparently, Mr. Madrigal has been engaged by the local governments of Daanbantayan, San Remigio and he is now with their Bantay Dagat operations. He is no longer an employee of the province so that is now his (business),” he told reporters.

In touch

“There’s no question in that. But in whatever he does, he is no longer connected with the provincial government,” Davide said.

Madrigal tendered his resignation along with his personal secretary, Iris Plasquita Camello, after the two were rumored to have an affair.

Madrigal’s service vehicle from the Capitol hit a middle-aged couple in Bogo City and led to the death of the driver. Davide said the province is still in touch with the Mirambel family.

He said their 19-year-old daughter, Leslie, is currently being assisted by the province’s employment office for a potential job.

The province already paid the hospital bills and burial expenses incurred by the victim’s family.

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