BY DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
Two Bol-anon fishermen died Friday morning near Malingin Island after their boat was struck by another vessel allegedly from LGU of President Carlos P. Garcia (Pitogo), sparking outrage and calls for justice from Bohol officials and residents.
Rene “Ag-Ag” Reyes and Bjay “Bodon” Manayon, both residents of Purok 5, Malingin, Bien Unido, were fishing near the boundary waters between Malingin and Pitogo when the incident occurred, according to Police Senior Staff Sergeant Kenneth Itim of the Bien Unido Police.
Authorities reported that the victims were employing a fishing method known locally as “Liba-liba,” which is considered illegal.
Initial reports indicate they were struck while fishing, though details around the collision remain unclear.
Reyes, who lost an eye in the collision, was rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Manayon was initially reported missing before his body was recovered, showing severe head trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado has offered a P300,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
The governor initially announced a P200,000 reward on his Facebook page before increasing the amount.
“I’ve ordered the provincial police office to conduct an immediate investigation to identify the perpetrators of this deadly incident,” Governor Aumentado stated.
The incident has drawn worldwide attention from Bohol political figures, including gubernatorial candidate Atty. Dan Neri Lim, who visited the wake of the fishermen on Saturday.
“I will strive to achieve justice for the Reyes family. This cannot continue to happen because our island brothers are suffering,” Lim said in a Facebook post. “They need support to have proper livelihoods. From my assessment, island residents lack government support.”
Lim pledged legal assistance to the victims’ families and was accompanied during his visit by second district representative aspirant Modesto Membreve, lawyer Bryan Pilandas, and Bohol Balita Daily News publisher Johny Orioque.
President Carlos P. Garcia Mayor Fernando Estavilla declined to comment on the incident, stating he would wait until the investigation is completed.
The town’s police department reportedly denied conducting any operations against illegal fishing at the time of the incident.
The collision has sparked outcry from local residents.
Marchen Senoc Oro expressed outrage on social media, calling the incident “completely unfair” and “beyond comprehension.”
“These were people just trying to earn an honest living and provide for their families,” Oro wrote. “To be run over and left for dead… How many of our hardworking fishermen have to suffer this kind of violence? Where is the protection for them?”
Student organizations from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences issued a statement condemning the killings, noting the tragic irony that the deaths occurred during National Fisherfolk and Farmers’ Month, a time designated to honor those who “tirelessly toil our land and sea.”
“This incident is a stark manifestation of the deep-seated issues that persist in our coastal communities, where conflicts over resources and illegal practices often escalate into violence,” the statement read. “The tragic loss of lives should serve as a wake-up call to address these challenges.”
The Philippine Coast Guard has joined the investigation, with preliminary findings suggesting fishermen from Pitogo were involved in the incident and immediately fled the area afterward.
The tragedy has bared ongoing tensions between fishing communities in Bohol island, particularly regarding contested fishing grounds and enforcement of regulations against illegal fishing methods.
Danish seine fishing, known locally as “Liba-liba,” has been prohibited in Philippine waters under various fisheries regulations due to its environmental impact.
The method involves a conical net with two wings kept open by wooden boards or metal plates that are dragged along the seabed, potentially damaging marine habitats.
Local fishing communities often find themselves caught between economic necessity and compliance with fishing regulations, creating conditions for conflict between fishermen and enforcement authorities.
The investigation continues as authorities work to identify the individuals responsible for the collision.
The Philippine National Police Maritime Group has been called in to assist with the case.
“We cannot stand by and let this kind of brutality continue,” Oro stated in her social media post. “Justice needs to be served, and it needs to be served now.”
The victims’ families are calling for accountability and transparency in the investigation, with community members organizing a vigil planned for Sunday evening at Malingin Island to honor the deceased fishermen and show solidarity with their families.
Officials have promised regular updates as the investigation progresses, with the governor’s office establishing a special task force to expedite the process and ensure thorough examination of all evidence.
The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional offices have announced plans to review enforcement protocols for illegal fishing in the area, with discussions underway about potential mediation between the fishing communities of Bien Unido and President Carlos P. Garcia to prevent future violent incidents.