GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A Coast Guard officer and several of his personnel were placed under investigation after Indonesian nationals went missing while under their custody for violating immigration laws.
Capt. Michelle Ursabia, chief of staff of the Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao, has cited Lt. Senior Grade Jhon de Vicente and PO1 Eleno Banas Jr., PO2 Winchel F. Muchamiel, SN1 Brendon Coniato, SN2 Jamirie Colano, ASN Christian Jae Sayson, ASN John Rey Babao, ASN Al Hudyte P. Latip, ASN John Paul Tamayo, ASN lan Rommel Gullem, ASN Arjay Kyke M. Acosta, and ASN Francis N Vallecera, for negligence in duty following the escape of the four Indonesians while under the custody of Coast Guard Station Eastern Sarangani in Glan, Sarangani on June 3.
The four Indonesians identified as Robert Metia, 52, of Tamako Daghi, Indonesia; Benjamin Takaonselang, 34, of Kendale, Indonesia; Yesbak Papia Karame, 49, from Tamako Daghi, and Abnert Matualge, of Kalawato, Indonesia were aboard a fishing boat when they were intercepted by patrolling Coast Guard personnel off Sumbang Point, Glan, on April 13.
The Indonesians failed to present any documents or passports for entering Philippine territory legally.
They were carrying fish which was supposed to be delivered to the fish port complex in Barangay Tambler, this city, when they were intercepted.
De Vicente denied responsibility over the missing Indonesians, saying he was not the concerned station commander of eastern Sarangani at the time they were apprehended and taken into custody by the Coast Guard station.
He said Ensign Genesis Val Sarmiento was the station commander assigned at eastern Sarangani during that time.
De Vicente blamed Sarmiento for his failure to turn over the suspects to the custody of Bureau of Immigration for the filing of appropriate case against the Indonesians.