WHEREAS, it appears that there is still a resurgence of illegal fishing cases despite the express prohibition thereof under Section 33 of Presidential Decree No. 704;

WHEREAS, despite the promulgation of PD No. 1058 amending PD No. 704 by increasing the penalties for certain forms of illegal fishing and dealing in illegaly caught fish or fishery aquatic products and providing that the mere possession of such explosives with intent to use the same in illegal fishing punishable, it appears that illegal fishing is still rampant;

WHEREAS, some fiscals are hesitant and reluctant to file illegal fishing cases against the violators of the fishery laws, rules and regulations because of the provision in the last paragraph of Section 38 of PD No. 704 which states that action on any violation mentioned in Chapter VI thereof shall be taken if the Minister so decides; and

WHEREAS, to effectively and successfully prosecute, illegal fishing cases, it becomes imperative to further amend PD No. 704 by deleting the aformentioned constraint:

NOW, THEREFORE, I. FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby amend Section 38 of PD No. 704 by deleting the last paragraph thereof.

This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-one.

			(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President of the Philippines
	By the President:
	(Sgd.) JUAN C. TUVERA
		Presidential Executive Assistant

Vol. 25, Vital Documents, Presidential Decree 1980-1981