VIRAC, Catanduanes – Left with little or nothing to eat, residents of three barangays here were left with no choice but to go fishing at a marine reserve, where 12 of them were promptly arrested by “Bantay Dagat” enforcers and the police on Saturday, November 14.
According to one of the fishermen Abner Isidoro, he and some 50 other fishermen from Barangays Marilima, Buenavista and Magnesia ventured to the marine reserve, located at a fish sanctuary, last Saturday to fish after they hardly had any catch when typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses struck in succession, ravaging the entire province.
But their gamble did not pay off as 12 of them were arrested by authorities.
Nine from Barangay Maralima were arrested, two from Buenavista, and one from Magnesia.
The others were reportedly let go because they were women and children.
The authorities also confiscated their catch, along with their fishing gear.
The 12 residents were later released, but were told that charges were going to be filed against them.
In an interview, Barangay Maralima Chairperson Allan Magasca sought out President Duterte and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, and asked them to help with the charges that were levelled against his constituents.
“Gutom na sila at walang pambili ng pang-ulam. Kaya kahit alam nila na bawal ay lumusong pa rin sila sa dagat. Mga limampu silang nangisda, gamit lang itak at pana,” Magasca said.
(They’re so hungy, and they had not money to buy food. That’s why even if they knew it’s prohibited to fish there, they still proceeded. There were 50 who fished there, only using knives and arrows)
According to Magasca, 90 percent of Marilima residents depend on fishing for livelihood, and all of them had their boats damaged in the typhoons.
He added that even backyard farms and poultries were destroyed.
In near tears, Magasca also appealed that the fish sanctuary be opened to local fishermen as this could be the only lifeline left to the residents of Marilima, Buenavista, and Magnesia.