Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy, whose team received the derogatory information about the two fuel tankers, assures that appropriate charges are filed against Megapower Petroleum’s directors, corporate officers, and responsible officers. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA, Philippines — Criminal complaints were filed against the owners and crew of two vessels involved in the illegal transfer of unmarked fuel or “paihi” modus at the Navotas Fish Port, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
In a statement on Sunday, the BOC said that cases were filed against operators of the MT Tritrust and MT Mega Ensoleillee for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the National Internal Revenue Code, and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion.
It added that nine crew of MT Tritrust, 16 crew members of MT Mega Ensoleillee, and unnamed owners of the vessels and the smuggled fuel, will face the complaint.
READ: BOC: Rice shipment delays not due to port congestion
Citing the affidavit, the agency disclosed that the vessels were caught smuggling the unmarked fuel. Before this, the items aboard the ships underwent a fuel marking test by Enforcement Group-Fuel Marking Agents, and yielded failed results.
“The respondents were engaged in the illegal transportation of undocumented fuel given the results of the fuel marking testing, which resulted in FAIL results and their failure to present a Withdrawal Certificate and other pertinent documents evidencing fuel marking and payment of correct duties and taxes for the fuel in their possession,” the affidavit said.
“Thus, all fuel that is properly imported is fuel marked; on the contrary, unmarked fuel is presumed to be illegally imported,” it added.
The agency revealed that the MT Tritrust and MT Mega Ensoleillee contained 320,463 liters and 39,884 liters of diesel fuel, respectively. This amounts to P715,350,000.
“As we earlier reported, the unmarked fuel found in those two vessels amounted to P20.35 million, while the MT Tritrust was valued at P245 million and the MT Mega Ensoleilee at P450 million,” BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (BOC-CIIS) Director Verne Enciso said.
The captains of both vessels failed to submit bunkering permits when authorities asked for one.
Aside from this, Megapower Petroleum’s directors, corporate officers, and other responsible officers will also face complaints related to the case.
“As for the registered owners of these two vessels, we will not let them escape liability because whether or not they were aware of the circumstances of the vessels being involved in the paihi modus, they must still face legal consequences for allowing the use of their vessels in transporting smuggled fuel,” Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said.