Navy finds P12.76M 'undocumented' rice off Tawi-Tawi bay
A total of 6,000 sacks of allegedly undocumented rice worth P12.76 million have been seized by the Philippine Navy (PN) from a motor vessel while patrolling the waters of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, authorities reported on Friday, June 23.
*(Photo by Philippine Navy)
* Elements of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) were conducting patrol operations at Chongos Bay last June 19 when it intercepted motor vessel (MV) Katrina V while “carrying a substantial volume” of sacks of rice. “During patrol, the MV was chanced upon at approximately 670 yards north of Papahag Island, Tawi-Tawi. As a standard operating procedure, the operating units conducted Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) procedure to check and inspect the MV and ensure its safety and seaworthiness for sea,” said Ensign Niño Fernando Cunan, NFWM public affairs officer. “However, upon inspection, it was found out that the MV is loaded with 6,000 sacks of rice with no proper documents,” he added. The undocumented rice weighed 25 kilos. The crew of MV Katrina V were brought to Bongao Pier where they underwent further proceedings. Combined personnel of the Navy and Bureau of Customs (BOC) also conducted an inventory of the sacks of rice before they were turned over to BOC Bongao for custody and case disposition.