FUEL SMUGGLING. Authorities impound two vessels, one of which is a Malaysian-owned (in photo), loaded with 400,000 liters of diesel with an estimated worth of P29.6 million in Lihiman Island, Turtle Islands town, Tawi-Tawi province, on Saturday (Jan. 28, 2023). Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Tawi-Tawi, commander, bared Tuesday (Jan. 31) that the vessels were apprehended illegally loading diesel on the island. (Photo courtesy of JTF-Tawi-Tawi)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have apprehended two vessels loaded with 400,000 liters of diesel estimated worth PHP29.6 million in Tawi-Tawi province, a top military official reported Tuesday.
Brigadier Gen. Romeo Racadio, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Tawi-Tawi commander, said the vessels were caught illegally loading diesel Saturday in Lihiman Island, Turtle Islands municipality.
Before the apprehension of the two vessels, Racadio said the police in Turtle Islands town received information that illegal loading of diesel is taking place in Lihiman Island.
He said joint marines and police forces caught in the act the foreign-owned vessel, Marnia Penang, loading diesel to Jaslyn Stacy Legazpi, a Filipino-owned motor tanker during the conduct of a maritime patrol to validate the information.
Investigation showed that Marnia Penang with 16 crewmen sailed from Deojor, Malaysia, to illegally unload 400,000 liters of diesel to Jaslyn Stacy Legazpi, a vessel from Navotas City with a 13-man crew.
Rodrigo Sarol, the boat captain of Jaslyn Stacy Legazpi motor tanker, also told police they linked up with Marnia Penang in Lihiman Island to load the diesel fuel.
“They (Sarol and crew) are still waiting for another vessel loaded with additional 200,000 liters of diesel to arrive,” Racadio said.
The two vessels were turned over to the custody of the Philippine Coast Guard based in Turtle Island town for proper disposition.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, Western Mindanao Command chief, said they will not tolerate any illegal activity in their area of operation.
“Rest assured that Westmincom, through its joint task forces and Navy component units, will remain steadfast in curbing maritime crimes and other illegal activities,” he said. (PNA)
