PCG closely monitoring foreign ship anchored in Sultan Kudarat

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard is keeping a close eye on a foreign vessel with Chinese crew onboard anchored in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

Capt. Michelle Ursabia, spokesperson of Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao, said Coast Guard sub-station personnel in the coastal town of Sultan Kudarat are closely monitoring M/V Hong Xiang with 23 Chinese crew which arrived on September 11.

Ursabia said Coast Guard personnel conducted an initial inspection of the China-registered vessel and its crew and found out that their documents were legal and no contraband was found aboard the ship.

Residents had earlier reported the presence of the foreign vessel in the sea of Lebak for a black sand dredging operation.

Ursabia said the vessel came from China and arrived at the port of Lebak where it was temporarily moored while its agent is processing a dredging permit.