The Philippine Navy (PN) said Friday, FEb. 17, that it has intercepted an oil tanker which was carrying 847,000 liters of undocumented fuel with an estimated value of P50.8 million off Corregidor Island.
Lt. Regeil Gatarin, spokesperson of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL), said M/T Braleman 1 was being maneuvered by its 11 crew members when it was flagged by BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902), the Navy's newest patrol gunboat, at 8.8 nautical miles southwest of Corregidor Island.
Gatarin said the NAVFORSOL received an information from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Palawan about the suspicious activities of M/T Braleman 1.
Gatarin said the BRP Lolinato To-Ong tracked M/T Braleman 1 at the vicinity waters of Cabra Island in Mindoro as it traveled towards Manila Bay until they intercepted the oil tanker off Corregidor Island last Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Prior to the operation, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Batangas served a seizure and detention warrant on M/T Braleman 1.
M/T Braleman was escorted to Manila Bay where it will be handed over to the proper authorities.