The dredging activity being conducted by MV Sangko Uno in Mindoro Island and Manila Bay is done in accordance with the country’s laws, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
PCG acting spokesperson Lt. Commander Michael John Encina said the only problem is that MV Sangko Uno did not declare in their manifesto all the Chinese crew members onboard the vessel, and they are working in the country while only having a tourist visa.
“The dredging activity of the vessel is legal, and all the vessel's documents were valid, except that the vessel allegedly allowed Chinese nationals to operate the dredging activity despite only having tourist visas, according to the Filipino-Chinese national who was interrogated during earlier’s court proceedings,” Encina said.
The PCG earlier said that MV Sangko Uno is engaged in dredging activities in Mindoro Island and Manila Bay.
The dredger was flagged by the PCG at the Navotas Port while en route to Mindoro last Sept. 15 when inspectors found out that it was carrying five Chinese nationals and a Filipino-Chinese onboard who were not declared in the vessel’s manifesto.
A follow up operation on Sept. 17 resulted in the arrest of two more Chinese nationals and two Filipino crew.
According to the PCG, the Chinese crew were being taught how to operate the equipment aboard the vessel.
The PCG said it has coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Chinese Embassy for diplomatic communication regarding the undeclared crew.