Ship owner challenges customs seizure order

CEBU, Philippines - The owner of a vessel allegedly involved in smuggling fuel filed a motion to quash the Warrant of Seizure and Detention issued by the Bureau of Customs-Cebu as the Philippine Coastguard in Cebu was given 15 days to answer the said motion.

BOC legal division chief Edward James Dy-Buco, the hearing officer said that the motion was filed last July 22 during the continuation of the seizure proceedings.

BOC cannot conclude yet whether oil smuggling was committed by M/T Petrolino-I, which was apprehended last month by the PCG-Cebu for allegedly carrying an illegal cargo.

It can be recalled that M/T Petrolino-I and its cargo of four tanks containing 5,253 liters of diesel and bunker fuel were turned over to the BOC’s Auction and Cargo Disposal Unit after a WSD was issued by BOC district collector Ronnie Silvestre.

An Indonesian tugboat Buleleng, according to the Cebu Coast Guard’s intelligence reports, illegally transferred four tanks to the said motor tanker which is owned by a Manila-based Clavecilla Marine Services Inc., while it was off Naga City, Cebu.

The four tanks contained 3,055 liters of diesel and 2,180 liters of bunker fuel and authorities are still looking into whether this could be a possible case of oil pilferage and smuggling.

Buleleng’s 10-man crew failed to present any document that would indicate their cargo or its origin. Records show, however, that the vessel left Indonesia last June 17, 2011.

MTKR Petrolino-I and its cargo were seized for violation of Section 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.  (FREEMAN)