Coast Guard bares seizure of P2M smuggled oil in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard said on Wednesday its personnel intercepted P2 million worth of smuggled oil from a motorboat in Palawan last week.

According to reports reaching the PCG headquarters in Manila, joint elements of the PCG Palawan District and Philippine Marines halted M/L Virginia loaded with 84 drums of diesel fuel oil as it docked at the pier in Barangay Marabahay, Bataraza on April 11.

Upon sensing the presence of law enforcers, the unnamed captain and crew—all Filipinos–immediately abandoned the vessel, the PCG reported.

The apprehending team said that the fuel oil, which was believed to come from Malaysia, had no pertinent documents.

The district commander, Comm. Enrico Evangelista, said the seized fuel was one of the biggest seizures in recent years. He added that the Marines seized 34 drums early this year.

Evangelista reported that the PCG Brooke’s Point Station earlier received an intelligence report that the vessel was engaged in smuggling activities.

A couple of hours after the seizure, a certain Rolly Ami, a resident of Balabac town, appeared and claimed the ownership of the Virginia. Ami said the vessel was rented from him by a certain Lawrence Lakatan for five days to travel to Mangsee Island in Balabac.

The Virginia was brought by the joint apprehending team to Puerto Princesa City and turned over, along with its cargo, to the Bureau of Custom on Tuesday.

The drums of diesel were estimated to contain oil worth P900,000 by the PCG but the BOC collector Rebecca Gabayan said the seized cargo could be worth up to P2 million.

Evangelista said the coast guard district would intensify its anti-smuggling patrols in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.