“Speed up search operations for the missing fishermen in Palawan” – 
PAMALAKAYA to PCG
Manila, Philippines – The activist fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas) on Saturday urged the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to expedite its search and rescue operations on the 40 fishermen that went missing at the height of tropical storm “vinta” off the Palawan province last weekend.
26 motorized bancas and fishing vessels composed of around 40 fishermen and fishworkers went missing off the rich fishing ground in Mangsee Island in Palawan province as the typhoon “vinta” approached last December 23.
“Authorities must expedite their search and rescue operations to find the missing fishermen and fishworkers for them to spend time with their families in time of the New Year’s Eve. Fishermen were forced to go offshore despite the turbulent weather because if they don’t, their families would starve for days. While the fishworkers employed in commercial fishing fleets have no choice but to work for the big fish operators in order for them to earn enough to have a simple feast during the Yuletide season,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA Chairperson said in a statement.
The group also demands the government to provide aid to the families of the missing fishermen as their incomes are in peril due to the tragic incident.
“While the families are waiting for the return of their loved ones, they deserve a government support in a form of relief because their only source of income has been devastated for days now,” ended Hicap. ###
