When the Chinese Coast Guard bombarded with their water cannon a Philippine civilian and unarmed boat (last August 10, 2023) while the latter was sailing on a supply mission to a stationed Philippine ship BRP Sierra Madre, it raised the possibility of diplomatic conflict among two friendly nations—Philippines and China. The boat was cruising within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone along the Spratly Islands west of Palawan. China however downplayed it because they were accordingly responding to a perceived threat with the presence of a roving vessel patrolling the sea lanes. It has been noted that Chinese military authorities were even asking Philippine government to remove the stalled navy ship on the shores of Ayungin Shoal area.
Be that as it may, Chinese authorities probably were thinking that the rusted Philippine ship may be contributing toxins which fishes and marine products reaching Chinese shores might be affected. Whatever. From a distance, indeed BRP Sierra Madre’s dilapidated, corroded condition does not augur respect for its owner.
Why not repaint it, restore it to its former appearance? This is where my thesis lay. Why don’t we require the Bureau of Corrections to send around 200 minimum security prisoners to the area (Ayungin Shoal where a decrepit Philippine ship is berthed) , supervised by Bucor and AFP personnel of course, to derust and repaint the vessel. Palagay ko dalawang grupo ng preso sa loob ng tatlong buwan lang, yung barko natin makintab na! Pour in another quarter for repainting, the whole ship is restored to its former glory. Hindi na nakakahiya ang itsura!
Prisoners classified to minimum security status and they are hundreds of them in various prisons and penal farms are about to be released in two years’ time. They can be given assigned tasks like “taga taktak ng kalawang sa barko” something a number of Philippine seamen abroad are doing to earn their dollar upkeep. Now for prisoners, in a limited period of supervised de-rusting mission in Ayungin shoal could earn for them their release; say after a stretch of three months instead of spending two more years under institutional care. That is not a bad bargain. RA 10592 or the new Good Conduct Time Allowance has re-computation provisions that could be applied on the matter. Gumanda na barko natin, nabawasan ang siksikan sa bilanguan, nakatipid pa gobyerno sa mga pinakakaing preso nito!
I understand that there are military personnel manning the parked vessel and their living condition was far from decent. Their situation is more dehumanizing. Their state of attention does not speak well on the kind of loyalty they share by maintaining sworn territorial presence in our area. Nakakalungkot. Improving the air of their station by prisoners “on community service” (by cleaning, repairing and fixing quarters) is a welcome respite to our soldiers.
This is where prisons can acquire relevance in its role in Philippine current events.
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