Tom wants complaints against Bantay Dagat head investigated

Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday ordered an investigation into the complaint of some fishermen from the city's coastal barangays against Bantay Dagat project officer Cesar Enriquez for allegedly favoring commercial fishing boats within a prohibited zone.

The fishermen, in their complaint, also asked for the ouster of Enriquez from his position for allegedly allowing commercial boats to fish in the area near the Ludo wharf.

"I already ordered a probe into their complaint," Osmeña said after groups of fishermen-from barangays Ermita, Pasil, Suba, Duljo-Fatima and neighboring barangays-went to the office of Vice Mayor Michael Rama to complain against Enriquez.

The fishermen, who sought the help of city officials, are members of the Panaghugpong sa Mananagat sa Dakbayan sa Sugbo, Panaghugpong Alang sa Sanag nga Ugma sa mga Lumulopyo, and Ermita Folk Fishermen Association, among others.

Most of them admitted they have been fishing with the use of hook or pamasol, nets or pukot, and arrow or pana only but their small livelihood has been badly affected because of these commercial fishermen.

Juanito Escabas of sitio Alaska in barangay Mambaling said, "Dili na kami makapamana og isda kon moagi na ang trawl o liba-liba kay malubog man ang tubig sa dagat nga ilang maagian."

The law prohibits commercial fishing vessels from operating within the seawaters 15 kilometers from the shores.

Enriquez, for his part, welcomed the investigation insisting that he was not afraid because he has been a man who never got involved in illegal activities or graft and corruption.

He explained that it would be difficult to detect the presence of commercial fishing vessels in the area because they would not use lights in their operations.

Enriquez criticized instead the complainants because they were merely against some fishermen from Talisay City who fish with nets at the seawaters near the South Reclamation Properties and Pier 1.

Enriquez touted his several accomplishments, particularly the Operation Market Denial, the items of which he said he failed to inform the media.

When asked to rate the performance of Enriquez, Mayor Osmeña answered that he could not compare Enriquez to the late Bantay Dagat head, Elpidio "Jojo" dela Victoria. - Rene U. Borromeo/RAE