Bantay Dagat fishers seek dismissal of raps

BANTAY Dagat volunteers of northern Cebu asked the court to dismiss complaints against them, saying these were filed to harass and intimidate them into silence.

Nine respondents, including former Capitol security chief Loy Madrigal, filed counter-affidavits to a case filed by commercial fishing boat captains Rogelio Forrosuelo and Donato Villaceran. They accused the two men of piracy, robbery, and illegal detention.

The case stems from  Bantay Dagat’s apprehension of 40 crew members, including the captains of two commercial fishing boats allegedly using the illegal fishing method of “hulbot-hulbot” (Danish Seine fishing) in municipal waters off the coasts of Kinatarcan Island last August.

Forrosuelo, AC fishing boat captain, and Villaceran, JSV2 fishing boat captain, accused the respondents of illegally arresting them during that time a few days after the event.

Their lawyer Mary Joan Dulhao said six out of nine named respondents in the complaints filed by the two captains were not even present during the operation.

They filed their affidavits yesterday afternoon before the Cebu provincial prosecutor’s office.

In a press conference yesterday, Dulhao said they want the court to determine that the charges filed against her clients are Strategic

Lawsuit(s) Against Public Participation (SLAPP), a type of lawsuit that is meant to censor, intimidate or silence.

Under Republic Act 10654, law enforcement officers and volunteers are protected from SLAPP. Dulhao said she hopes the charges against her clients will be dismissed altogether.