Pamalakaya: Fishermen mull class suit vs Petron over oil spill

MANILA, Philippines - Fisherfolk Pamalakaya said on Monday that fishermen will pursue a class suit against Petron Corp. and the shipping firm commissioned by the oil company to carry and transport fuel to its oil depot in Barangay Poblacion, Rosario, Cavite.

The group said that its leaders iniated a consultation on Saturday with their chapters in Rosario, Cavite and other towns affected by the recent oil spill.

It said that the residents and fishermen have unanimously agreed to pursue the class suit against the oil company.

"They (affected fishermen and residents) want Petron to be stopped from operating its oil depot in Rosario and they want the oil company slapped with a class suit. That is the collective sentiment of the people there and we believe it is legitimate, valid and just," the group said.

Pamalakaya, meanwhile, said that the fishermen and residents affected by the oil spill would need a pro-bono lawyer "that would help them pursue the legal case against the oil company."

The group said that during the consultation, leaders and residents agreed to sign affidavits on the grave impact of the oil spill to their livelihood and to public health. A number of residents were rushed to nearby hospital due to foul odor coming from a sea of oil sludge.

Pamalakaya also protested the ban imposed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in oil spill infected areas.

The group said BFAR Director Asis Perez and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) made an irresponsible and unmindful fish ban in Manila Bay without considering the huge impact on the subsistence of fishermen in the area.

Rosario Mayor Nonong Ricafrente had clarified that the local government of Rosario did not issue the fish ban.

Ricafrente also said that he would ask BFAR and the PCG to recall the fish ban.

Citing the initial estimate made by local fishermen, Pamalakaya said around 10,000 fishermen in Rosario and Tanza towns are affected by the still uncontained oil spill, which could spread to other coastal towns of Cavite like Noveleta, Naic, Cavite City and even Bacoor City.