BFAR to give 22 unsinkable boats to Recto Bank incident survivors

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is set to distribute on Wednesday 11 out of the 22 fiberglass boats it pledged to give to the 22 fishermen who survived the Recto Bank incident.

“Bukas, mayroong initial distribution (of fiberglass boats), 11 pieces…Malaki rin, 30-footer 'yun. Ang capacity niya, 15 people. Unsinkable, made of fiberglass,” BFAR-MIMAROPA officer-in-charge Director Elizer Salilig said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Tuesday.

LIVE sa DZBB: Director Elizer Salilig, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-MIMAROPA officer-in-charge kaugnay ng ipagkakaloob na tulong sa mga mangingisdang binangga at inabandona ng Chinese fishing vessel.

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— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 17, 2019

The 22 boats are equipped with marine engines and fishing gear.

Aside from the 22 boats, the Department of Agriculture headed by Secretary Manny Piñol will also give financial aid to the 22 survivors, Salilig said.

“Mayroong ibibigay si Secretary (Piñol). Bukas malalaman magkano 'yung financial na tulong ng Bureau of Fisheries,” Salilig said.

On June 10, the Maritime Situational Awareness Center-West (MSAC-West) obtained information from the boat captain of FB 076 that an alleged Chinese fishing vessel collided with Filipino boat F/B Gem-Vir 1.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana bared the incident to the public on June 12, the celebration of the country's 121st Independence Day.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he has already filed a diplomatic protest before the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization over the incident. 

Filipino boat captain Jonel Ensigne repeatedly said that the collision was intentional on the part of the Chinese. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News