Binay presses charges vs Negros Oriental fishing company

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay has ordered the filing of charges against the employer and job recruiter of a fishing company in Negros Oriental for qualified trafficking.

Binay, chairman emeritus of the Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) said violations committed by Pesca Maharlika Marine Resources Inc. and its chief recruiter Andrew Labao should not be left unpunished.

At least 38 fishermen earlier filed a complaint against the company before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Dumaguete City. They all came from the municipality of Ayungon, Negros Oriental where most of the fishermen were recruited.

The fishermen complained that the company made illegal deductions from 20 percent share of their earnings, resulting in the non-payment of their 10-month fishing expedition.

While the fishermen did not receive any share in the profits, they claimed the company got their haul of more than 25,000 tubs of fish, which generated gross sales of P47 million.

Based on their contract with the fishermen, the company should retain 80 percent of the gross sales, while 20 percent are to be paid to the fishermen.

But the fishermen alleged Pesca Maharlika Marine Resources deducted from their share the cost of recruitment, fish carrier fare, plane fares, meals and hotel accommodations of company and officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). They said the company also deducted the house rental and household expenses of the checkers and the family and relatives of their recruiter in Manila.

Binay said the national government is determined to pursue the charges, even as he urged concerned local officials and police men to work closely with IACAT and the Presidential Task Force on Anti-Illegal Recruitment (PTFAIR), which he also chairs.

“We will now delve into being pro-active to prevent these activities. It is hard to believe that this is a unique case. I assume this is rampant,” Binay said.

“Walang iwanan ito. Tutulungan namin kayo, basta’t huwag kayong bibitaw,” he assured.