Coast Guard District Palawan (CGDP) Commander Allan Corpuz has announced recently that they are now requiring vessels engaged in fishing to take photos of their Global Positioning System (GPS) in order to check their exact locations, so that similar story of fishermen from Bgy. Mangingisda will be avoided in the future.
Commodore Corpuz made this statement during the online press briefing of the Provincial Information Office (PIO) last April 17 when they talked about the security in the sea amidst the implementation of extended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and the obedience of the head of the vessels and fishermen to guidelines set by the government while they are given the freedom to do fishing in spite of lockdown.
“Ngayon po may idinagdag ako [kautusan]…, sinabihan ko kanina (April 17) ang chief of staff namin na [sabihin sa mga mangingisda] na i-implement na po ‘yung [pag]litrato ng kanilang mga GPS,” he said.
Corpuz explained that the Coast Guard District Palawan orders the concerned fishing vessels that they should do this every eight o’clock in the morning, four o’clock in the afternoon and 12:00 midnight.
“Para po ito sa lahat ng fishing company. Lilitratuhan na po ng kapitan ‘yung GPS nila [tuwing] alas otso ng umaga, alas kwatro ng hapon at alas dose ng [hating]gabi.
Kinakailangan n’yong litratuhan ang mga GPS n’yo, nang sa ganun ay naka-record kung saan kayo ng mga panahong iyon para hindi na maulit ang pangyayaring iyon [na nagsinungaling ang mga mangisngisda],” he said, referring to the 26 fishermen from Bgy. Mangingisda of which, one vessel lied to PCG personnel by telling them that they will only go Bgy. Langongan to catch fish but they actually went to Buliluyan and even to Iloilo to sell their catch. The authorities were alarmed because the said province has recorded 20 positive cases of COVID-19, and as precautionary measures, the LGU immediately ordered to put the entire barangay under extreme community quarantine upon the arrival of the last batch in the City of Puerto Princesa last April 14.
The Provincial Government of Palawan issued an Executive Order No. 52 allowing fishing activities in the province, even there is a lockdown, in order to maintain the enough supply of food. Corpuz stated that he knows that the fishermen and the owners of the fishing vessels already knew well on their obligations and responsibilities and that they will deal with the law if they violate them.
“Pinahihintulutan po ang lahat ng mga mangingisda na pumalaot, ganun lamang, magpapaalam lamang sila [sa PCG] dahil hangad din po namin na maipagpapatuloy ang kabuhayan. Gayunpaman, ay kailangang sumunod tayo sa mga panuntunan ng mga kinauukulan pagkat wala naman tayong hangad kundi maging ligtas sila,” he explained.
He also said that they will file a necessary complaint against the said fishermen that for the meantime are undergoing 14-days quarantine on board with their boats, in a bit far distance from the city proper.
“Talaga hong wala pong exempted sa mga kaparusahang nararapat sa kanila,” Comm. Corpuz further said.
In these times of crisis, the PCG assures the people that their usual tasks in protecting the west frontier remain, with the help of other branches and instrumentalities of the government.
“Kasi hindi lang ang Philippine Coast Guard ang nariyan, kundi naandiyan din ang ibang nasa ‘water cluster’ gaya ng Philippine Navy, and PNP Maritime Group, at of course, tinutulungan din tayo ng mga barangay at Bantay-Dagat bilang force multiplier at ito na rin ang lokal na pamahalaan,” he said.