Indon ship released; seizure order vs. local tanker issued

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs has issued a warrant of seizure and detention against a local motor tanker and its cargo for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

Customs District Collector Ronnie Silvestre ordered the seizure of Motor Tanker Petrolino-I and the 5,253 liters of diesel and bunker fuel believed to have come from Indonesian tugboat Buleleng after the crew members failed to present valid importation documents.

Buleleng was earlier held by the Philippine Coast Guard on suspicion that it was involved in oil smuggling. Coast Guard officials received intelligence reports that tugboat Buleleng illegally transferred the four tanks of diesel and bunker fuel to Petrolino-I at the seawaters of Naga City.

The PCG however failed to prove their suspicion yet pending the result of the laboratory analysis of the fuel sample taken from the Petrolino-I and Buleleng. The sample was submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Command of the PCG in Manila.

PCG Commander Rolando Punzalan said as soon as the sample taken from Buleleng and Petrolino-I matches it could be used as basis to hold the crew members of the Indonesian tugboat liable for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

Without solid evidence against the crew members of Buleleng, the PCG was forced to release the tugboat yesterday. Buleleng left Labogon wharf in Mandaue City at 7:00 a.m. yesterday.

Meanwhile, PCG has turned over the motor tanker and its cargo to the auction and cargo disposal unit of the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition. (FREEMAN)