The 22 Palawan fishermen who were captured in Malaysia for alleged illegal fishing said they were physically manhandled by Malaysian guards during the early days of their detention and that the abuse stopped only after the Philippine embassy began intervening on their behalf.
Albert Biscano, the group’s spokesperson, said soldiers at the detention facility hurt some of the fishermen when they failed to answer questions to the guards’ satisfaction.
“Doon ang malupit sa mga sundalo doon. Konti lang na mali sa mga tanong nila na hindi namin masagot, sinasaktan kami at sinisipa ang ibang kasama namin,” Biscano said.
He said the mistreatment ended only after a representative from the Philippine embassy called one of the detainees to check on their condition. The embassy subsequently visited the group and processed their documents for repatriation.
The fishermen had been arrested by Malaysian maritime authorities on January 28 after allegedly crossing into Malaysian waters.
Biscano said the incursion was unintentional, explaining that their boat had drifted across the maritime boundary due to thick clouds and strong waves and that they had not yet begun fishing when they were intercepted.
“Tumatakbo pa lang ang bangka namin, hindi namin alam na nakapasok na kami [Malaysia] dahil maulap at saka malakas ang alon, napadpad na pala kami doon,” he said.
Biscano said they immediately stopped their boat when they saw the Malaysian authorities and tried to explain that they were not engaged in illegal fishing and were only using the “hook and line” method.
However, he said the language barrier made communication difficult.
“Nagpaliwanag kami, hindi kami magkaintindihan kasi ang Malayo ay hindi rin namin maintindihan. Hanggang nahila na lang nila kami sa Kudat at pagdating sa Kudat, mga alas-sais ng hapon ay pinasok kami sa kulungan,” he added.
Conditions during the first ten days of detention were described as harsh.
The fishermen slept on bare concrete in cramped cells and were given only two small bread rolls in the morning and small portions of unsalted water spinach, which at least one detainee refused to eat after finding worms in it.
“10 days kami doon at ang makain namin sa umaga ay dalawang pandesal lang at sa tanghali ay maliit lang na kanin bago ‘yung ulam namin na kangkong ay walang asin. ‘Yung kasama ko nga, hindi na kinain dahil nakita n’ya daw na may uod na ‘yung ulam na kangkong,” Biscano said.
After ten days, the group was transferred to another facility, where Biscano said some of them were hurt by guards when they failed to answer questions.
“Doon ang malupit sa mga sundalo doon, konti lang na mali sa mga tanong nila na hindi namin masagot, sinasaktan kami at sinisipa ang ibang kasama namin,” he said.
The situation improved after a representative from the Philippine embassy called one of the detainees to inquire about their condition. The embassy later visited the group and facilitated the processing of their documents for their return to the Philippines.
Aside from the 22 fishermen, three other residents of Rizal town also returned to Palawan after being detained in Malaysia for immigration violations.
One of them, Alvin Soriano, said he had lived in Malaysia for many years before he and his two children were arrested by immigration authorities.
“Sila sa immigration detention at ako ay nadala sa bilibid. Nakulong ako ng 2 buwan at 20 days tapos balik uli ako at hinanap ko na ang anak ko,” Soriano said.
Local officials in Rizal town said the 25 returning residents will receive financial assistance from the local government, with additional aid expected from national agencies.
Vice Mayor Ma. Gracia Zapanta said funds will also be provided to repair damaged fishing boats.
“Mayroon kaming financial assistance from LGU Rizal na kasama sa maibibigay sa pamilya at debriefing ng MSWDO natin,” Zapanta said.
The returning residents are expected to undergo medical checks upon arrival in Rizal to ensure they are in good health after their detention.
