LIMAY, Bataan — A group of fishermen staged a fluvial protest here Thursday denouncing alleged offshore seabed quarrying and reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
The protesters, fishermen from the towns of Orion, Mariveles and Limay, belong to the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Limay (Pinsamala) and Pambansang Samahan ng mga Mangingisda (Pangisda).
The bancas bore various protest slogans.
Edlyn Rosales, Pangisda secretary, and Fred dela Cruz, Pinsamala chairman, said they were in 20 fishing bancas in the fluvial protest along Manila Bay.
“Ito ay pagpapakita ng patuloy na pagtutol ng mangingisda sa offshore seabed quarry at reclamation projects sa Manila Bay at pagtatanggol sa karapatan sa kabuhayan ng maliliit na mangingisda,” Rosales and dela Cruz said.
They started their protest action in Barangay Lamao, Limay. They said the activity was part of their celebration of the 73rd International Human Rights Day.
“Ang panawagan namin ay ang Manila Bay ay para sa tao, kalikasan at hindi para sa negosyo. Depensahan ang kalikasan at ang karagatan para sa kinabukasan ng pangisdaan, they said.