Bohol fishermen bare ordeal in Tawi-Tawi job

CEBU, Philippines - Twenty-two fishermen, a teenager included, revealed for the first time how they reportedly suffered in Tawi-Tawi province in Southern Mindanao where they were recruited for fishing jobs.

The group’s representative, Diosdado Pera, said in an interview that they were lured by a sweet promise of bountiful earnings in Sitangkay, Tawi-Tawi, but the promise turned out to be a nightmare, so much so that their teenage companion, Mike Reymond Arreglado, 17, died during the ordeal.

Diosdado’s other companions include Rolando Trocende, Ronel Torcende Vicente Doblas, Virgilio Oponda, Maredcadel E. Pera, Servando Bucio, Jr., Angelito Rosales, Marcelino Mabatuan, Jr. and Virgilio Omit of Maomawan, Bien-Unido; Gary Hewe, Feliciano Doron, Tommy Doron, Ryan Doron, Leopoldo Gabas, Jomar Baculfo, Roel Boiser, Jiji Zapanta, Rico Gaylan, and Dennis Casio of President Carlos P. Garcia (Pitogo); and Rogelio Lugod of San Jose, Getafe.

Pera said the recruitment was so tempting, especially that the recruiter, identified as Policarpio Mantos of Cataban, Talibon generously provided them each with P10,000 that they could give their families. Mantos is reportedly in hiding.

Ordeal

Pera said they left Bohol early last year and not once did Mantos’ promise materialize in the eight months they were in Sitangkay.

For one, their catch from spear fishing was bought at a very low price. There were reportedly times when they did not have enough to buy rice. Aside from a very low income, they also reportedly lived in constant fear because of the presence of armed men at the compound where they were made to stay. They were reportedly warned not to run away or they would be shot. Fishing itself, was a threat to their lives, as they reportedly used a compressor, a gadget mounted on the fishing boat, which oxygen for fishermen underwater to allow them to stay there for hours. This, however, was illegal.

Doblas, meanwhile, said they tried to convince their employer, a certain Benjamin Jaybot a.k.a “Agi” to let them go home many times, only to be reminded that they had already received advanced payment.

Pera said he eventually convinced his fellow fishermen to plan an escape. They started saving gasoline for the motorboat they would use and when they saved enough, they sailed away in December until they reached Zamboanga. There, they sought refuge with authorities and reported their experience.

Pera said he and his group are grateful for the Philippine Navy and other government agencies, including the provincial government, for helping them and facilitating their return to Bohol.

Mysterious death

Despite their return, however, the group still mourns Arreglado’s death, as the cause remains a mystery to them. All they told about, Pera said, was that the boy drowned while fishing. They even failed to bring the boy’s remains back to Bohol for fear that their escape plan would be botched. They buried him in Tawi-tawi.

The boy’s mother, Rowena, confirmed in an exclusive interview that her son passed away. She lamented the loss of her son and expressed anguish for not seeing him for the last time.

Asked why she allowed him to go with Pera’s group, Rowena said she hoped that doing so would help her son earn more money for the family. With 11 people in the family, her husband’s income from fishing is certainly not enough to address their needs.

The lesson she learned, Rowena said, is for them never to let their children venture into unscrupulous deals again.

Aid

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto said what was done to the fishermen is considered trafficking in persons.

To help them start anew, the provincial government gave them P10,000 each during a meeting with the Provincial Peace and Order Council. (FREEMAN)