http://www.mb.com.ph/ofw-center-warns-against-illegal-fishing-activities/
OFW center warns against illegal fishing activities
by Samuel Medenilla
Filipino fishermen, who are based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), should think twice before illegally fishing in the African state of Eritrea, where they could be apprehended by anti-poaching pirates.
Blas F. Ople Policy Center (BFOPC) issued the warning yesterday after four Filipino fishermen were abducted by pirates in Eritrean waters, where they were engaged in illegal fishing in 2013.
“Filipino fishermen based in Saudi Arabia should resist the temptation to illegally fish outside the Kingdom’s borders particularly in the seas of Eritrea, where piracy has become a major concern,” BFOPC said in a statement.
The four Filipino fishermen were first taken by the pirates to a secluded island before they were later turned over to the Eritrean government. They joined their five other companions, who were previously arrested by Eritrean authorities for illegal fishing.
The nine overseas Filipino overseas workers (OFW) arrived last Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), they were met by BFOPC President Susan Ople, who said they will coordinate with the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) to provide aid to them.
She also urged NRCO to create a special program for returning fishermen.
Ople said she will ask the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to look into the alleged unfair working conditions suffered by the nine OFWs in the hands of their previous employer, which forced them to engage in illegal fishing.
It was known that the nine did not have a fixed monthly salary and other social benefits.
Received on Mon May 23 2016 - 06:28:54 EDT