Seven Filipino fish bombers fined, jailed
KOTA KINABALU: Seven Filipinos were fined RM10,000 each, in default, two months in jail for fish bombing and jailed four months for illegal entry.
Sessions Court judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamed handed down the sentence on Sedi Tilani, Bolong Sahirun, Binti Arali, Tonih Emte, Stevan Misluan, Egno Gabeh, aged between 16 and 28, after they pleaded guilty to the charge, yesterday.
They had used ammonia as fish bomb while fishing in separate vessels, which had no registration number, in Pulau Mantanani Kecil waters between 2.30am to 2.45am on November 14.
The offence was framed under Section 26(1)(c) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and punishable under Section 25(b) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of RM20,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both, upon conviction.
The facts of the case stated that the Filipinos were arrested in four separate vessels with various types of catch weighing a total of 136 kilograms.
Samples of the fish were taken to the Chemistry Department and it was found that they had been caught using ammonia.
In mitigation, the Filipinos prayed for a lenient sentence and to be deported to their country of origin.
Prosecuting officer from the maritime enforcement, Lieutenant Mohd Nasrul Mad Nor urged for a deterrent sentence to be imposed against the accused.
Meanwhile in another court, the Filipinos were also sentenced to four months in jail for illegal entry.
They pleaded guilty before judge Azreena Aziz to entering the state without valid travel document. They were charged under Section 6 (1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The indictment provides for a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, and also six strokes of whipping, upon conviction.
One of the accused, Bolong was also given one stroke of the cane while the rest were spared due to their age.
The men will serve their custodial sentence from the date of arrest and to be referred to the Immigration Department for their biometrics data to be recorded before being deported.
The court also ordered a 16year old accused to be sent to the Children’s Court.