IN the old days, fishermen would just need to check their fishing gear, lamps, nets and all, their outrigger bancas, some food and water, and the vagaries of the weather before going out to sea.
Fish were abundant and the fishing grounds seemed as endless as the sea, enough to share with other fisherfolk from nearby towns and provinces, even foreigners.
Those times have gone and in their stead, problems about national boundaries and exclusive economic zones, geopolitics and national security that were not among the fisherfolk’s worries before.
Nowadays, ramming and similar maritime accidents and/or attacks have become common, traceable in part to the geopolitical contest going on in the South China Sea, where groups of shoals and rocks are being claimed by China and several other neighbors, including the Philippines.
‘… such measure will control where the “domestic, foreign ships, and international vessels, which are big, would pass so that our fishermen know where to pass and avoid each other.”’
Just last October 2, the oil tanker Pacific Anna which carried the flag of the Marshall Islands figured in a ramming incident with Philippine fishing vessel FFB Dearyn. The mishap occurred just after 4 a.m. when the fishing boat was moored at its “payaw” (bamboo raft used in fishing) located around 85 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc.
Upon learning of the incident, many Filipinos were quick to blame China, whose vessel was involved in another ramming incident several months back in the South China Sea. It was good that the Philippine Coast Guard immediately did a quick probe and came out with its report on the true identity of the erring vessel.
The maritime mishap, however, caused the death of three Filipino fishermen and injuries to others in the group of fishermen. The government is running after the owners and crew of the Pacific Anna, which is now in Singapore.
Those who died in the incident were breadwinners, all residents of Subic town, Zambales. Boat skipper Dexter Laudencia, Romeo Mejico and Benidecto Olandria left orphaned children and widows, and the government had to assist their families temporarily — but for how long?
Sen. Francis Tolentino, who visited the wake of the victims, had been pushing for legislation that would designate the archipelagic sea lanes of the country. He said such measure will control where the “domestic, foreign ships, and international vessels, which are big, would pass so that our fishermen know where to pass and avoid each other.”
The senator said had we had such archipelagic sea lanes, this ramming incident could have been avoided.
Perhaps a Senate inquiry on the incident as requested by some senators will clear up the matter and hasten the right legislation needed to address this problem.
