A local group in the Philippines is calling for a criminal investigation into the 315 tuna fishermen who went missing in early December, after a destructive typhoon struck the country’s southern island of Mindanao.
The militant fisherfolk group, Pamalakaya, wants the major tuna companies to be held responsible for sending the fishermen out despite warnings of bad weather. It believes “if the situation merits,†the government should “issue a cease and desist order, indefinitely suspending the operations of these big tuna companies involved in this case†while an investigation is carried out.
Back in December, six tuna companies in General Santos City reported that 46 vessels and its crew members were missing. They are Rugela Fishing, RAFI Incorporated, RLG Fishing, DSG Fishing, LPS Fishing and Salazar Fishing.
The Philippine Coast Guard led search and rescue operations during the first week of December, but the families have yet to receive an update, says the group.
Pamalakaya also wants the government to order the tuna companies to compensate the relatives of the missing fishermen.