By DIANN IVY CALUCIN
Fisherfolk organizations staged a peaceful rally from the Boy Scout Circle in Quezon City to Liwasang Bonifacio, Lawton, and Ermita, Manila on Thursday, Nov. 24, urging President Marcos to take action and assert the Philippines' sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Around 20 members of Nagkakaisang Mangingisda Laban sa Gutom at Pananakop, Atin Ang Pilipinas coalition: West Philippine Sea Advocates and fishermen from Masinloc, Zambales, and Navotas City staged the peaceful rally in several venues.
According to Jonas Conde, 49, Masinloc fisherfolk have experienced harassment while sailing on Scarborough Shoal, West Philippine Sea.
He said most of their fishing haul was confiscated and replaced with instant noodles and packs of cigarettes.
"Message po ito para sa mahal naming Pangulo Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., sa mga kasamahan namin mangingisda ng Masinloc Zambales, gutom at walang mahuling isda sa ating dagat ng West Philippine Sea. Sa tuwing kami ay pumapalaot, marami sa amin ang nakakaranas ng pananakot at panggigipit mula sa mga malalaking barko ng China (This is a message to our dear President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., from fishermen of Masinloc Zambales who are hungry and can't catch enough fish in the West Philippine Sea. Every time we sail, many of us experience intimidation and pressure from the big Chinese vessels)," Conde said.
"Dinadaan kami sa takot gamit ang malalaking missiles. Araw-araw ganito kahirap ang sitwasyon naming mga mangingisda. Tulungan niyo po kami dahil gutom na kaming mga mangingisda ng Masinloc, (We are being terrorized with huge missiles. Every day, fishermen experience this difficult situation. Please help us because we, Masinloc fishermen, are hungry)," Conde added.
Conde appealed to the current administration for livelihood support. He said that many small-scale fishers are abandoning their livelihood and seeking other jobs to ease their hunger.
"Sana po ay supportahan niyo kami gaya ng pagsuporta namin sa inyo, pakinggan niyo po kami at ang aming mga hinaing (I hope you will support us just as we supported you. Please listen to us and our grievances) " Conde pleaded to President Marcos.
Flory Azucena, 45, whose husband and brother were also fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, said their livelihood capital is often not returned because of gasoline price hikes and the Chinese vessels that threaten fisherfolk.
She also said the price of their caught fish only ranges from P30 to P40 per kilo.
"Lugi sila kasi minsan hindi pa po sapat sa krudo. Nagkusa na po ako dito kasi kasi may hinaing ang asawa at kapatid ko para naman mapangkinggan kami. Malayo po sila dito kaya ako ang nandito para ipanawagan na sana malaya na silang makapaghanapbuhay (They lose money because sometimes they don't have enough income even for gasoline. I am here to represent them because my husband and brother are far from here, so I am here on their behalf to fight for their right to livelihood)," Azucena said.
Atin Ang Pilipinas coalition also emphasized that the Marcos administration should be consistent in its dealings with China regarding the fishermen's rights
The fisherfolk also lifted a fishing boat as a symbol of Masinloc fishermen's suffering and grievances.