ZAMBOANGA CITY - Authorities seized a motor launch loaded with nearly P2-million worth of unregistered diesel and gasoline without proper documents last Monday, Nov. 11, off the coast of Tawi-Tawi province.
CONTAINERS of undocumented fuel inside a motor launch intercepted in Tawi-Tawi province.
A Philippine Navy boat, the PC390, was conducting routine maritime security patrol when it chanced upon the motor launch with marking Arnesza-2.
Numerous attempts to establish communication with the vessel failed, prompting the Navy personnel to board the vessel for inspection.
The team held its 15-man crew for questioning and towed the boat to the Bongao pier after finding undocumented fuel onboard.
A combined team from the Navy, Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine Coast Guard conducted inventory and estimated the cargo to be 12,000 liters of diesel and 24,000 liters of gasoline with an estimated market value of P1.62million.
The crew members are facing possible charges for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act or RA 10863.