Recto Bank fishermen receive aid from Fil-Chinese biz group

A group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen on Friday donated P1.2 million for the rehabilitation of the F/B Gem-Vir 1, the fishing boat reportedly rammed by a Chinese vessel in Recto Bank on June 9.

Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) officials led by its president, Henry Lim Bon Liong, personally handed over the donation to the fishermen in Quezon City.

“Kami sa FFCCCII ay magbibigay ng P1.2 milyong piso para sa kumpletong rehabilitasyon ng kanilang nasirang bangkang pangisda,” Bon Liong said during a press conference.

Bon Liong said the group would also donate P250,000 as livelihood assistance to the 22 Filipino crewmen affected by the maritime incident.

“We express our sincere concern for their welfare and our solidarity with them,” Bon Liong said.

No strings attached

In an ambush interview, Bon Liong said the assistance has no strings attached, adding that the gesture of their group should not be politicized.

"Walang strings attached ito. Baka akala niyo may strings attached ha? No strings attached ito," he said, noting that the FFCCCII did not communicate with the Chinese government regarding the assistance.

"Kaya walang kulay ito ha, kusang loob ng mga nasa Federation," Bon Liong said.

Meanwhile, boat captain Junel Insigne and boat owner Felix Dela Torre expressed gratitude for the assistance given by the group. They read a prepared statement during the press briefing.

"Kaming 22 mangingisda ay nagpapasalamat sa FFCCCII para sa inyong tulong sa amin at sa aming mga pamilya. Ang krisis na ito ay talagang nakakaapekto sa aming pangaraw-araw na kabuhayan at sa aming kinabukasan," Insigne said.

Insigne said the repair of the damaged boat would take four months.

Meanwhile, Dela Torre said the assistance of the group gives them hope to rise again from the crisis.

"Sa panahon po ng krisis natin, nalalaman kung sino ang ating tunay na kaibigan, ang inyong napapanahon na tulong ay ganap na mapapaayos na rin ang aming bangka," Dela Torre said.

Bon Liong clarified that the fishermen did prepare the statement.

"Sila may sabi noon eh. Alam mo sila di sila sanay sa maraming press na ano eh... Galing din sa kanila 'yun," Bon Liong said.

Members of the press tried to interview the fishermen, but they were told the fishermen need to immediately leave the venue to attend another meeting.

Insigne also did not answer questions from reporters, only saying that they are thankful for the assistance given to them by FFCCCII. —KBK, GMA News