A total of 18 people were arrested on the same night in the towns of Ubay and Tubigon as the campaign against illegal fishing shifted to high gear. In Tubigon town, 16 people were arrested for fishing with the use of compressors. The suspects were arrested by a composite team led by PO2 Elbuen Budlong with deputized fish wardens. Initial reports said the suspects who were aboard three boats were caught fishing in the sea off Bagongbanwa islet Monday evening. Chief Insp. Jeffrey Caballes, Tubigon PNP chief, said they have intensified the campaign against all forms of illegal fishing. The arrest of the 16 brought to 30 the number of illegal fishermen who have been arrested in a week's time. Caballes said the fishing paraphernalia seized from the suspects are now in the custody of the town's municipal agriculture office. He confirmed that the suspects are presently out of jail after they were given temporary liberty after posting bail.

Meanwhile, in Ubay town, two men were arrested after they were caught in the act of engaging in dynamite fishing. The suspects were identified as Jojie Melloren, 26, married, and Roselo Melloren, 24, married, both residents of Barangay Centinila, Ubay. They were apprehended by a three-man team of deputized fish wardens led by Jose Cuyno. Initial reports revealed that the two were fishing in the seawaters between Barangays Fatima and Centinila about 5:30 pm last Nov. 5. The team of fish wardens observed the suspects and made their move when the latter were in the act of fishing using dynamite. Cuyno's band arrested the two suspects who were fishing aboard a banca at twilight. The arresting team recovered fishing paraphernalia including a stick of dynamite and matches. They also seized various species of fish in the banca which were caught by the suspects with the use of dynamite. The two suspects were subsequently brought to the Ubay PNP station where they were booked for violation of Republic Act 8550.