Members of the progressive fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas -Negros continue to air their protest against the gas and oil exploration in Tañon Strait between Cebu and Negros islands.

Pamalakaya-Negros, led by their secretary-general Editho Namion Jr., said in a press conference at the Negros Press Club office yesterday that the livelihood of small fishermen have been greatly diminished and health problems ensued in areas where the exploration is being carried out by the Japan Petroleum Exploration and Canada Forum Exploration Ltd.

He said that thousands of hectares of sea areas bordering Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Masbate and even Leyte are affected by these activity.

Efren Camacho, a fisherfolk leader from northern Negros, said that the oil and gas exploration has greatly affected their means of livelihood because the fish habitats in their fishing area have already been damaged. Small fisherman Jimmy Desabille of Escalante City said he has encountered JAPEX's exploration vessel, R/V Veritas Searcher, near the area where is fishing.

They should stop what they are doing because it is affecting small fishermen like us, he said at the press conference.

Namion said that along with their colleagues in other progressive groups, they have filed charges against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other concerned officials before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

They claimed that Arroyo and the other officials caused the gas and oil exploration, oil spill in the Visayan Sea and the operation of the Lafayette Mining Corp. in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.

He said they are filing the case to protect the rights of fisherfolk, attain justice and compensation for damage done and for the wrongful, illegal and immoral acts committed by these public officials.*NLG

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