MARIVELES, Bataan — A big group of fishermen here on Tuesday wanted the Recto Bank row settled peacefully favoring President Duterte’s action but asked that the affected 22 fishing crew and the boat owner be assisted.
Dalisay Cruz, president of the Sisiman Fishing Association, said there was nothing wrong with the Chief Executive saying what happened was a small maritime incident and should not be blown out of proportion.
“Tama po kayo Mr. President, hindi natin kailangan makipaglaban. Ang lahat ng problema may solusyon kung makukuha sa mahinahon, magandang usapan,” she said.
Cruz heads the fishing association in Barangay Sisiman in Mariveles composed of more than 50 big fishing boats and 700 fishermen.
She said that we are no match in firepower to China. “At kahit meron tayong gamit pandigma, pinaka-d-best na solusyon – pag-usapan muna bago pumunta sa tinatawag na digmaan. Mr. President, saludo ako sa mga sinasabi ninyo.”
But as a boat owner, Cruz appealed to President Duterte to repair the damaged fishing boat.
“Ipagawa ang kanilang panghanapbuhay nang hindi naman sila sumala sa oras dahil alam natin kung paano ang buhay ng isang mangingisda na doon sila humuhugot ng pampaaral, pagkain ng pamilya.
“Tulungan na lang na maibangon ang panghanapbuhay ng 22 tao na humuhugot sa sinasakyan nilang bangka. Kapag natulungan sila eh para na rin nating binuhay ang 22 pamilya na nangangailangan ng hanapbuhay, ” Cruz added.
Norbing Gaga-a, 63, also a fishing banca owner, said the affected fishing boat should be immediately repaired for the crews to be back to their livelihood.
“Talagang ganoon lang. Barko nagbabanggaan, eroplano man saka tren. Humingi na lang ng tulong. Kapag nagawa ang bangka, makakapaghanapbuhay ulit,” the old man said.
“Kung may magbibigay ng tulong, pasalamatan dahil panibagong buhay ng bangka mo. Matuwa ka na kung maipagawa ang bangka mo,” Gaga-a said.
Ramil Corpin, a crew of a fishing boat, said they were preparing to leave to fish at Commodore which pass by Recto Bank.
He said that isdang bato like lapu-lapu and talakitok are caught in the “bahura” of Recto Bank while through the payao they catch yellow pin and tulingan in Commodore
“Tulungan na lang dahil malaki na-damage,” Corpin answered when asked of the affected crews and the damaged fishing boat.
Another fishing boat crew, Jeffrey Areglo, made the same appeal.