Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated around 850,000 liters of fuel following the interception of a motor tanker off the waters of Batangas on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
BOC Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval said the seizure of motor tanker MT BRALEMAN 1, came after it was found out that the fuel cargo does not have pertinent documents proving that it complied with the payment of pertinent taxes and charges from the government for imported fuel.\
Based on the policy, an inert chemical is being added to the fuel after payment of Customs duties and taxes. The inert chemical serves as a marker that is detected in tests.
"The fuel cargo tested negative for the presence of the government-approved marker and had no pertinent documents," said Raval.
Raval also disclosed that during the operation of the BOC Intelligence Group and the Philippine Navy (PN), MT BRALEMAN 1 and F/L ST Mariner, small motor vessels, were caught withdrawing fuel.
The two vessels, he said, were headed to Pier 13 of the Port of Manila.
Raval said the task force, composed of BOC, PN, and Philippine Air Force (PAF) assets, apprehended and instructed both vessels to proceed to the El Fraile in Manila Bay, where BOC and PN personnel served the warrant and apprehension order.
"A custodial investigation will be conducted for an eventual inquest proceeding and filing of a criminal case," said Raval.
The successful operation was the second this month, the recent was the seizure of a vessel with 700,000 liters of unmarked diesel along the coastal waters of Barangay Mainaga, Mabini in Batangas on Feb. 8.
"The multiple apprehensions and seizures relating to fuel smuggling manifest the intensified border protection efforts of the Bureau to combat illicit trade and customs fraud," said Raval.