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10 Philippine Fishermen Who Staged ‘Mutiny’ Arrestedff

4 October 2004 Philippines

Ten of 12 fishermen who staged a mutiny and took control of fishing vessels owned by RD Tuna Ventures Inc. to press for increase in wages and additional benefits were arrested Thursday.

The surprised fishermen said they were made to believe no retaliatory acts would be imposed against them during protracted negotiations with RD officials in Papua New Guinea.

Mediating in the talks in New Guinea, where the fishermen took the vessels, were officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Renne Subido, RD vice president for corporate business affairs, denied the company waived its right to sue the fishermen.

In a press statement read during a press conference here, Subido said “the dispute...may have come to a peaceful resolution but actions taken by the crew broke Philippine and international laws.”

RD slapped five counts of mutiny charges against 12 fishermen but only 10 have so far been arrested.

Police reportedly picked up some of the fishermen while they were attending a company-sponsored seminar.

Subido said the company decided to file charges of mutiny against the crewmembers responsible for the “unfortunate acts”. He said the company lost at least US$100,000 a day for the duration of the mutiny.

On August 24, some 191 crewmembers of RD Tuna Ventures staged a protest, took command of the company's fishing vessels and cut off communications their the company base in Papua New Guinea while at the high seas there.

They demanded better living conditions aboard their vessels and asked that they be given remuneration and benefits similar to international seafarers. They lifted their protest action after seven days when Philippine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Bienvenido Tejano interceded in the dispute.

Subido claimed the fishermen were instigated by the London-based International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) into staging the mutiny. Asked why the ITF was not included in the case, Subido said company lawyers are preparing a separate suit against the labor federation.

The arrested fishermen protested their arrest Thursday and claimed the company acted in bad faith when it filed the charges against them.

Berdonar, who spoke in behalf of the group, said RD president Rodrigo Rivera Jr. assured them that no charges would be filed against them during the negotiations brokered by Trejano. He said all they were asking for were better pay and benefits. Berdonar said his monthly salary is still P5,000 even when he has been with the company for seven years.

Dominguito, Cocal and Ocon also claimed they were arrested close to midnight Wednesday by police officers who reportedly did not identify themselves.

The arresting police officers were reportedly also not in uniform.

In addition, they also claimed RD vehicles were used by the policemen while effecting the arrest.

Six of their companions were also arrested while attending a seminar on company rules and regulations.