| was still at the Regional Fisheries Training Center in Aparri in the early to mid-2000, when the BFAR's campaign against foreign poachers was coming to a boil. Earlier, there were already a number of

apprehensions, but the Bureau struggled to hold

these poachers and make them accountable in Courts. When Atty. Samuel Agaloos joined the fold,

only then that the Bureau achieved nationwide acclaim for its success against these economic marauders.

The success did not come on easy terms. Atty. Sam made it a point to digest nuances in fisheries and of the special law (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998), and coupled with his deep legal savvy, the Bureau was able to uncover the modus operandi and pin down these poachers. Atty. Sam set personal comfort on the side.

He attended to these cases, be it a weekend or deep into the night. He has to be on site and submit the complaint within the required period. Back at the office, Atty. Sam would delve deeper and utilized all legal avenues just to shed light on these cases. He elevates to higher Courts whatever lingering questions that the lower Courts left unanswered.

This culture of success he would rub on to his subordinates, when he became Chief of the Regulatory Division, back in 2015. He was instrumental in instilling discipline, adherence to protocol, and excellence, during the formative years of the agency's fisheries law enforcement group. Being pre-occupied with his myriad of tasks, he did not mind mixing with the boys — giving them advices not only on work but also on how to achieve personal success.