To allow dialogue: Medellin fishermen defer filing of complaint versus Ramirez

CEBU, Philippines - The group of fisherfolks affected by the on going municipal project in Medellin has hold in abeyance the filing of complaints against Mayor Ricardo Ramirez to give way to a peaceful dialogue.

They have also promised to disperse their picket in Gibitngil Island where the controversial “Fantastic Medellin Island Watch” is located, if Ramirez will assure them that the on going development will be stopped.

Victor Lapas, chairman of Panaghugpong sa Gagmay’ng Mangigisda (PAMANA) Sugbo, said they were supposed to file yesterday a complaint for alleged harassment and abuse of authority against Ramirez before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

However, Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca Santiago advised them to defer the filing until a dialogue is held between the affected fishermen and Ramirez.

Lapas said they were assured by Santiago that the anti-graft office will facilitate the dialogue. According to Lapas, they will pursue with the filing of the complaint if no amicable settlement is reached during the dialogue.

The fisherfolks affected by the on going development project in Gibitngil Island has been holding picket in the area. They are accusing Ramirez of harassment and abuse of authority.

Lapas said the island used to be the fishermen’s docking area but because of the project the fisherfolks have been displaced.

As of yesterday, around 30 fishermen continue to hold picket at the seashore of Gibitngil.

Richard Cuyos who faced the media in the area said they opposed the project for fear that the entire area will be developed for tourism which will deprive the fishermen of a place to dock their boats.

Ramirez said he had been saying during the public hearing that the islet called “Taytay” shall be connected with a footbridge to shoreline of Gibitngil so residents, especially, children could easily cross the place to enjoy and no more further expansion.

Ramirez said that the municipal government has already spent around P300,000 for the construction and estimated to complete the project at P500,000.

Cuyos alleged that there was no consultation with the residents in the area but Gibitngil barangay captain Cinambong Sopoñas told reporters that a consultation was conducted.

Sopoñas said that residents in Sitio Baring where the project is located has no objections and those who are holding picket in the area are the people coming from other sitios of Bakyad and Pasil. – (FREEMAN)