Fisherfolk detained in Indonesia asks for fares

By BEN SERRANO,
Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY — Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas and the City Social Welfare Office are doing everything to save and help free the 22 fishermen, all bonafide residents of Surigao City and three other fishermen from Municipalities of Placer and Sison, Surigao del Norte province now detained at the Office of Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in Sorong City, West Papua Province, Indonesia, the city’s Social Welfare and Development Officer said.

Myrna Destajo held meeting yesterday morning. They also distributed food packs and other assistance from City Government to  25 families of the jailed fishermen.

Destajo claimed of the 25 fishermen from Surigao, 21 fishermen are married while four are single. The nabbed  22 fishermen were from Barangays Sabang 3, San Juan and San Jose, all in Surigao City.

The Port City of Surigao, the second biggest city of Caraga Region is 130 kilometers away from here.

In a phone interview yesterday, Destajo told the Gold Star Daily the families were not informed by the Indonesian government about the fate of the 25 fishermen but were informed only through radio communications from other fishing vessels who had communication with the Surigao City-based fishing vessel MB RGJ Fishing

Destajo said Surigao City-based Marina registered fishing vessel M/B RGJ owned by local trader Gemma Navarro left coastal village Sabang 3, Surigao City on Nov. 28, last year and was heading not for Indonesia but for Cantilan, Surigao del Sur––to load needed fishing materials like blocks of ice

“On Dec. 8, the fishermen were arrested by the Indonesian authorities. At the time when the fishermen were arrested, their families left behind actually did not receive any information from any of the Indonesian authorities or government. They were only informed through fellow fishermen in the area through (VHF) radio,” Detajo added.

Destajo said the city government with the help of an Indonesian priest who is assigned in the city already reached the Indonesian Consulate office in Davao City and inquired about the situation of the 25 Surigaonon fishermen.

“We were advised through DFA to wait for two weeks by the Indonesian Consulate Office,” Destajo added.

Destajo who was assigned by Mayor Matugas to assist, hold meetings with the families this noon claimed, she will make final reports of all activities she has made for weeks now to be submitted to the Office of the Surigao City Mayor anytime tomorrow or today.

In separate phone interview of the same day, the wife of the captured boat captain Rodrigo Poo, claimed her husband is asking P150 thousand for their fares to go back home.

“He also told me to send his and his companions’ vital personal information documents needed by the Indonesian authorities to facilitate possible release,” the boat captain’s wife said.