MORONG, Bataan — A cargo ship loaded with fertilizer ran over a “baklad” (fishing gadget) on Friday morning along the waters of the Pawikan Conservation Center here, destroying some P2.2 million worth of fishnet off the waters of Nagbalayong, this town.

Reports received by Sr. Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, Bataan police director, showed that the “M/V Lancer” cargo ship manned by Capt. Alexander Sabanal broke through a cordon of baklad owned by the Pawikan Conservation Center after trying to maneuver near the seashore when the ship has reportedly encountered a minor engine problem.

The ship was reportedly on its way to Pangasinan from Cebu to deliver fertilizer when the incident happened.

The ship captain has not allegedly noticed the presence of the expensive fishing gadget along the area when he tried to take a rest along the seashore, said Insp. Joey Sampaga, Morong police chief.

“Pumulupot iyong mga fishnet na pag-aari ng Pawikan Center sa propeller ng barko kung kaya’t nasira agad ‘yung mga baklad, kamahal pa naman nito,” Sampaga told the Manila Bulletin.

Asked by this writer if there are turtles inside the conservation center affected by the incident, Sampaga answered in the negative, saying only the fishing gadget owned by the Pawikan center was destroyed.

The Bataan provincial government headed by Gov. Tet Garcia and Rep. Abet S. Garcia is preserving hundreds, if not thousands of turtles, in the area as part of its Pawikan conservation program to protect and enrich the endangered species.

The incident came at a time when a group of environmentalist from various ASEAN countries visited the Pawikan Conservation Center as part of their itineraries during the three-day forum held in Bataan.