Police investigators are looking into the possibility of ”guns-for-hire”, used by some unscrupulous individuals, to stage an attack against one of the marine sanctuary outposts in Sagay City , Negros Occidental.

Supt. William Senoron, Sagay police chief, yesterday said they have initially ruled out involvement of New People's Army in the attack of the Maca Reef outpost in Brgy.Old Sagay, Sagay City, on Dec. 28, that had caused injuries to two Bantay Dagat members, due to lack of evidence.

Senoron said two teams of Regional Mobile Group troopers will assist the Bantay Dagat members of Sagay Marine Reserve and local policemen in the manning of marine sanctuary outposts and in the conduct of seaborne patrols within the 32,000-hectare SMR area, effective today.

The strafing and raid of the Maca Reef outposts staged by about 15 unidentified armed persons claiming to be members of the New People's Army, led to the injuries of Bantay Dagat members Lito Villaflor and Roger Bulahan.

Senoron said the left leg of Bulahan which had been hit by a bullet, was amputated.

SMR records show that Bulahan has served as a Bantay Dagat member for 15 years, while Villaflor is now on his ninth year.

Senoron said aggrieved individuals affected by the intensified anti-illegal fishing campaign within the SMR area, may have employed the armed group.

Police said the armed group was looking for firearms and for two Bantay Dagat members, identified only through their first names as Mario and Rene, who are always in the forefront in arresting and filing of cases against arrested persons engaged in illegal fishing.

Senoron said the two fishing boats used by the armed suspects in attacking the marine sanctuary outpost, which could accommodate a maximum of six persons each, may only came from within the territorial waters of northern Negros .

An environmentalist group has offered a P200,000 reward for anybody who may provide information leading to the identification and arrest of suspects behind the strafing incident, police said.

SMR records also showed an increase in number of persons arrested for illegal fishing within the 32,000-hectare marine sanctuary last year, compared to 2006, police also said

Senoron said information on possible suspects who may have involved in the attack and being relayed to them by civilians, are now being validated.*GPB

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