At least 34 fishermen were arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Masbate.

The fishermen were on board two boats from Balatan, Camarines Sur that intruded into the municipal waters of Monreal, Masbate.

According to the Fisheries Code of the Philippines, or RA No. 10654, fishing in municipal waters with certain fishing gears may be regulated or prohibited.

Municipal waters generally within 15 kilometers from the coastline are under the jurisdiction of local government units.

As of this writing, PCG Masbate has custody of the fishermen arrested while BFAR holds jurisdiction over the legal proceedings against them.

Authorities appealed for all commercial fishing boats in Masbate to avoid fishing within the municipal waters.

"Panawagan lang natin sa lahat ng fishing commericial boat ng within the province of Masbate [na] wag silang mag-operate within the municipal water kasi mahigpit na ipinagbabawal talaga yun ng batas," CG PO1 Saldy Bañaria, Assistant Chief Master at Arms of Coast Guard Station Masbate, said.