CPA belies Oaminal's claim on security of private wharf

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Ports Authority has belied the claim of former Dangerous Drugs Board undersecretary Paul Clarence Oaminal that the CPA has exclusive jurisdiction to enter private wharves.

CPA General Manager Vicente Suazo said any law enforcement agency can always enter into private wharves suspected of being used in illegal activities.

Suazo said that while it is true that CPA issues permit to operate to private wharf but it does not mean that other government agencies, especially law enforcement, are barred from entering into it.

Maritime Industry Authority regional director Glen Cabañez also said that even the Philippine Coast Guard has jurisdiction to enter private ports if it is being used in illegal activities.

Suazo reacted to Oaminal’s claim that the police could not operate in private wharves wherein suspected illegal activities are happening.

Oaminal’s statement stemmed from Mandaue City Police director Noel Gillamac’s claim that private wharf in the city poses security threats because they have no jurisdiction to patrol and conduct operations in the area.

Oaminal supported the claim of Gillamac saying that, based on the series of conferences he attended he found out that the Philippine Ports Authority, Coast Guard and Maritime Police has no jurisdiction to check the loading and unloading of shipments inside the private wharves.

“The country’s illegal drug interdiction effort is fundamentally weak because of government policy on non interference in private wharves. It is undeniable that all throughout the country entry of controlled precursors and essential chemicals for the manufacture of shabu has been unabated. This is evidenced by the numerous shabu laboratories in the country,” Oaminal said earlier. (FREEMAN)