Environmental lawyer and triathlete Ingemar Macarine, nicknamed “Pinoy [Filipino] Aquaman” responded to the siege of Marawi City in Mindanao in the best way he knows best – by swimming for peace.
Macarine (41) swims to lift awareness of the necessity to keep the seas and all the natural environment clean. However, last Sunday was all about peace and hope in Mindanao.
“I’m saddened by the continued war in Marawi City. It’s sad to think that Filipinos are killing one another in Marawi.
“This swim is my humble contribution to promoting peace between our Muslim and Christian brothers in Mindanao,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The armed conflict in Marawi began on May 23, when joint military and police forces raided the suspected hideout of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilion Hapilon and Maute leaders. The death toll throughout the Marawi City siege has reached 175.
Macarine began swimming at 6 a.m.
Macarine began swimming at 6 am on Sunday from Guinsiliban town on Camiguin Island to Balingoan town in Misamis Oriental. Macarine struggled against a powerful current and waves, in addition to several jellyfish.
“Swimming was difficult due to the unexpectedly strong current,” he said. “My goal was three to four hours. But over a distance of 23 kilometers instead of 12 km, the time was seven hours and 47 minutes.”
Macarine is from Placer, Surigao del Norte and is currently an official of the Commission on Elections in Tubigon City, Bohol Province.
He recently accomplished a distance of 5 miles within the icy waters of the Hudson River in New York.
The crossing through Camiguin Island to mainland Mindanao is an element of his preparations for his second try to cross the English Channel in August. Last yr his try to cross the Channel was foiled by bad weather.
“This swim was very memorable for me because I am from Mindanao. I was born and raised in Surigao del Norte,” he said.
