Zambales fisherfolk see merry Christmas

STA. CRUZ, Zambales, Philippines – Residents here look forward to a merry Christmas after learning that fellow Filipino fishermen have gone back to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and returned home with a big catch unharmed.

“They were no longer shooed away,” Oscar Tabat Sr. from Riverside, Sta. Cruz, Zambales told The STAR yesterday. “They were already allowed to fish again in Scarborough.”

Tabat was quoting other fishermen who arrived yesterday from Scarborough Shoal aboard two bancas in Cato, Pangasinan.

He said his village learned about the fishermen’s successful catch from excited fish buyers in their village.

“They said there is no more fear. Fishing is continuous now,” he added, noting his fellow fishermen were talking and rejoicing about the positive development.

Tabat said he and his village mates are anticipating the same good news from his cousin Weng-weng Tabat, who also went to Scarborough Shoal the other day.

Weng-weng joined a group of fishermen in Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan on board a fishing boat he owns.

Tabat said his cousin’s group saw other fishermen from other areas in Scarborough Shoal.

“Okay na ang Kalburo. Masaya na ang Pasko (Kalburo is now okay. Christmas will be merry),” he said. Kalburo is what local fishermen in Zambales and Pangasinan call Scarborough Shoal.

According to Tabat, about a hundred men from their village, including his son and namesake, Oscar Jr., go fishing in Scarborough to earn a living.

He said local fishermen are overjoyed by the positive development at Scarborough Shoal that they are looking forward to paying off their debts soon.

He recalled the time the Chinese Coast Guard were bullying and driving away local fishermen like him at the shoal, when their earnings were so little they had to resort to loans to sustain their families.

“Nabaon kami sa utang (We were deep in debt),” he said.

Tabat said he and nine others from the village plan to go back to Scarborough Shoal on Nov. 3. – With Cesar Ramirez