The cargo vessel M/V Mirola and the boats named Palawan Pirates 2022, Palawan Pirates 2023, and Palawan Patrick. (Photo from PCG)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that its agents had detained 18 crews for suspected fuel theft over the weekend.
During a patrol on Saturday near Navotas Fish Port, a team from the Philippine Coast Guard caught five crew members of the cargo vessel M/V Mirola stealing diesel from the ship.
The crews of three ships, Palawan Pirates 2022, Palawan Pirates 2023, and Palawan Patrick, divided up the fuel among their respective crews of thirteen.
“About 20,000 to 30,000 liters of diesel was transferred by the M/V MIROLA 1 to the three boats when the PCG discovered the act,” the Coast Guard said in a statement in Filipino.
Authorities also discovered that the three vessels had no documents.
It was further learned that the three vessels were involved in alleged fuel pilferage in Manila, Batangas, and Bataan.
The crew, ship and boat were all brought to Coast Guard Sub-Station Navotas for proper disposition and filing of charges.