Scuba Geek

Foreigners arrested for scuba diving in marine sanctuary March 27, 2006

Posted by Andy Carroll in : News, Travel, Uncategorized , trackback

In a story by the visayandailystar, two German nationals and their filipino guide where arrested and fined for diving in a marine sanctuary off the coast of Brgy.

Arrested were Breiten Huber Michael, 39, Tetzlaff Norbert, 45, and Filipino guide Ronald Tan.

Their arrest came after Mayor Rodrigo Alanano ordered the Dauin police through a telephone call to confirm reports that, a group of foreigners had been seen scuba-diving within the marine sanctuary. Alanano has been vocal in his position against violations of municipal ordinances, particularly those related to his program to sustain the coastal resource management gains of the municipality.

In a presentation before a two-day regional workshop on integrated population, health, and environment communication at Bethel Guest House Wednesday and Thursday, Alanano said he will spare no one, not even foreigners and relatives, if they are found guilty of violating municipal ordinances.

He told the gathering of journalists and information officers in the PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc.-sponsored workshop that he has to be strict in enforcing the laws, particularly in the operation of the 12 resorts and dive sites in the nine coastal barangays of the municipality.

His purpose, Alanano stressed, is to protect the people’s morals and the coastal marine resources for the sake of the future generation.