Tawi-tawi authorities seize local, Malaysian vessel for ‘illegal loading of diesel’

Tawi-Tawi map

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have intercepted a Malaysian and a local vessel for allegedly engaging in “illegal loading of diesel” amounting to 400,000 liters in Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, over the weekend.

The crew of a foreign vessel identified as “Marnia Penang” and the Filipino-owned vessel named “Jaslyn Stacy Legazpi” were intercepted by joint police and military elements in Lihiman Island in Taganak town last January 28, according to the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom).

“Marnia Penang”  sailed from Malaysia with 16 crew members while the “Jaslyn Stacy Legazpi,” which was from Navotas City, has 13 crew members onboard.

Wesmincom said personnel from the Taganak Municipal Police Station “received information stating that an illegal loading of diesel is being undertaken in the abovementioned barangay.”

“Initial investigation revealed that Marnia Penang sailed from Deojor, Malaysia with 16 crew members onboard to illegally unload 400,000 liters of diesel to the local vessel from Navotas, Metro Manila,” the Wesmincom also said.

Government troops escorted the intercepted vessels and their crew to Taganak Pier and turned them over to the Philippine Coast Guard in Turtle Islands for proper disposition. Niña Cuasay, INQUIRER.net trainee

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