11 fishers accused of piracy arrive

Eleven of more than 150 General Santos City fishermen accused of piracy and terrorism in the seas of Papua New Guinea arrived in Manila yesterday.

The fishermen, employed by RD Tuna Ventures Inc. and South Sea Fishing Ventures, were accompanied by Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Bienvenido Tejano.

For about a week starting Aug. 27, the fishermen paralyzed the operations of the two Filipino fishing companies when they held 15 vessels in the seas of Papua New Guinea, resulting in losses of about P10-12 million per day for the two firms, Tejano said.

They, however, claimed they merely wanted to air their grievances and demand for increased wages.

Tejano said the Papua New Guinea police wanted to detain the fishermen but later allowed them to go home to "settle their differences back in the Philippines."

In a statement, the two fishing companies said they believe in dialogues but reserve the right to seek redress "for acts inimical to law and order relative to the mutiny." — Sandy Araneta