PCG security patrol, relief veer

to fishers’ rescue operations

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, April 24, (PIA)—It was supposed to be an ordinary seaborne patrol mission in between relief operations for fishermen and their families whose livelihood are affected by the tight security measures imposed amidst a coronavirus pandemic threatening the region.

But, elements of the Philippine Coast Guard in Western Bohol along with their K-9 unit and Bantay Dagat representatives never thought their trip out to sea that day to bring relief goods to marginal fishermen in the city turns out to be life changing.

It was a like any seaborne patrol operations, although we carried 50 packs of goodies we planned to hand out to fishermen to bring to their families. Let’s just say, it was our simple gesture of help when they need it in appreciation of the great help they give us in helping us secure our seas from illegal entry of persons from neighboring provinces with COVID cases, or in reporting criminal elements violating marine laws, a PCG personnel who asked not to be named, said. 

With fishing interrupted as authorities have put up stricter curfew measures, several fishermen’s families suffered, so we have to help them, Tagbilaran City Bantay-Dagat president Nestor Bongcac said.

We went out to sea, aim our rudder to the nearest fishing boat, check on the fisherman from the list of registered fisherfolks, check on their boat’s documents and the PCG Safety and Security and Environmental Numbering system and tell them to report any unfamiliar boat sailing the waters here, or any maritime law violation,  the PCG ensign added. 

And then we hand out our relief goods, a small gesture of appreciation for helping us, he continued.

Coast Guard Western Bohol District under Lieutenant Junior Grade Tristan Jener Erediano and his men pooled some money from their salaries, bought some relief goods and packed them for the marginal fishers.

Midway in their relief distribution while checking on fishermen, the team caught up with three men swimming by a half capsized boat, somewhere in the vicinity waters of Barangay Booy, well within the city waters.

It was Tuesday, April 21, about 2:00 PM, when the PCG team on board aluminum boat (AB 084) along with Tagbilaran City Coastal Law Enforcers led by Nestor Bongcac were scouring the seas chanced upon three fishermen swimming near a half capsized paddle boat, which broke into half. 

The team immediately threw safety lines into the swimming men and accepted them aboard, and towed the distressed paddle boat to the shallow waters so they can assess the damage or salvage the boat.

Rescued were Samuel Remerata, 55 years old married, Demetrio Doperte, 38 years old married and Eduardo Jumarito, 51 years old also married and residents of Ubujan, Tagbilaran.

  

Seeing that damaged hull, the fishers decided to just bring the boat back to Ubujan, the coast guard facilitated for their return home.

That day, aside from the three rescued fishermen, the PCG and Bantay Dagat distributed 50 relief packs, covered Tagbilaran City waters in their patrol operations and without doubt, built a much stronger bond with their force multipliers, especially in their times of need. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

BOAT WITH BROKEN BACK. PCG and its K9 unit along with Bantay Dagat wardens rescued these fishermen whose paddle boat’s hull broke into half, as their relief operations turned into a rescue mission Tuesday. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol/foto PCG Bohol)

RELIEF GOODS FOR CITY’s MARGINAL FISHERS. PCG Western Bohol station pooled resources from their men to put up 50 relief goods packs for the city’s marginal fishermen found fishing during their seaborne patrol operations last Tuesday. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)