(Joint report by DCR, DSA, GAB)
Joint forces of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Totolan barangay officials intercept nine (9) Badjaos who tried to enter Bohol via Dauis illegally.
The alleged illegal entry happened on Wednesday night, June 10, 2020.
It is still illegal to enter Bohol without proper documentation, as the province remains under general community quarantine.
According to reports, the Badjao’s seacraft tried to dock at the Causeway Bridge. It was further reported that the Badjaos originated from Palawan.
According to the same report, elements of the PCG together with the barangay officials headed by Totolan punong barangay Raldo Rollorazo intercepted the seacraft where the nine Badjaos were on board. The same report added that it took four (4) days for the Badjaos to reach Bohol from Palawan. The docking happened at around 8 pm on Wednesday.
It was learned that the Badjaos originally wanted to dock at Mantatao, Tubigon, but they were denied entry there. They decided to proceed to Dauis as there is a Badjao community in Totolan, Dauis.
According to Rollorozo, the group of Badjaos consisted of two (2) families. About five (5) are males and four (4) are females. One of the families used to reside here in Bohol but went to Palawan for greener pasture but found none and decided to return to Bohol.
The authorities immediately initiated health procedures and followed all health precaution protocols, the Badjaos were then brought to the Totolan barangay isolation center and subjected to 14-day quarantine, the report said.
Rollorazo said that he has coordinated with the Dauis police for booking of the Badjaos as the pumpboat has been confiscated by the proper authorities.