11 October 2007
Philippines Massive extortion activities of the Philippine Maritime police and Coast Guard deployed off General Santos (GenSan) City is killing the tuna fishing industry in the country.
This was bared by oppositionist Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio of South Cotabato on Tuesday night during the House budget deliberation for the Department of Interior and Local Government.
She added with the rapid expansion of the fishing fleets in Gensan, the fishing industry now has to work hand in hand with different agencies
Custodio said the “tongs†being exacted are not only for fishing boats fresh from fishing expeditions, but also for other boats just departing from ports.
“It’s very demoralizing when you know that the institutions that supposed to protect you from piracy are the one that is doing the piracy in the high seas,†Antonino added.
To prevent them from getting even with the fishermen who spilled the beans, Razon ordered them restricted to quarters and banned from going near the sea and fishing areas.
Criminal and administrative charges are being readied against these policemen, Razon said.
As for the members of the Coast Guard, Custodio said she will bring the matter to officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications on Wednesday.
