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Boat loaded with hazardous chemicals, smuggled cigarettes intercepted in Palawan

Philippines | National

Boat loaded with hazardous chemicals, smuggled cigarettes intercepted in Palawan

By Richa Noriega

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intercepted a boat loaded with sacks of hazardous chemicals and boxes of smuggled cigarettes during an intense pursuit in the vicinity waters off Malampaya Gas Platform, Palawan.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted a boat loaded with sacks of hazardous chemicals and boxes of smuggled cigarettes during an intense pursuit in the vicinity waters off Malampaya Gas Platform, Palawan on Sunday, July 4, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the PCG)

In an incident report released on Thursday, July 8, wpersonnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) sighted M/B Escario Express heading towards the waters off Malampaya Gas Platform in Palawan.

The PCG said the BRP Cabra approached the boat to encourage aboard crew members to return to their respective residences in order not to compromise their safety due to the bad weather in the area.

However, the boat started to speed up while the PCG vessel was approaching it. After an intense pursuit that lasted for more than 25 minutes, the motorbanca was intercepted.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted a boat loaded with sacks of hazardous chemicals and boxes of smuggled cigarettes during an intense pursuit in the vicinity waters off Malampaya Gas Platform, Palawan on Sunday, July 4, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the PCG)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted a boat loaded with sacks of hazardous chemicals and boxes of smuggled cigarettes during an intense pursuit in the vicinity waters off Malampaya Gas Platform, Palawan on Sunday, July 4, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the PCG)

During the joint inspection, PCG personnel found out that the boat was loaded with a total of 125 sacks of hazardous ammonium nitrate and four boxes of smuggled cigarettes.

“After conduct of initial safety inspection, the vessel was also found with no possession of any pertinent documents,” the PCG added.

Related Tags

Palawan Malampaya gas chemicals cigarettes PCG

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