China working on solution to ship’s mess

MANILA, Philippines - China is working with the Philippines for a “proper and prompt” resolution to the seizure by the Coast Guard of a Chinese cargo ship found anchored near a marine sanctuary in Cebu for more than a month without authorization from local authorities.

Zhang Hua, spokesman of the Chinese embassy in Manila, said the Chinese consulate general in Cebu has made contact with concerned authorities and with the local freight agent.

“The issue is still in the process at this stage. The Chinese embassy and the Chinese consulate general in Cebu are working with the relevant authorities for a proper and prompt solution of this issue,” Zhang said in a statement.

“The Philippine authorities have told us they will fully ensure the Chinese crew’s legitimate rights and interests, and properly address the issue,” Zhang added.

The ship has 24 crewmembers.

He said Philippine authorities are checking “relevant declaration procedures,” and that based on “preliminary information,” the 24 sailors on board “are stable.”

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Central Visayas said the 19,998-gross ton M/V Ming Yuan, a Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier built in 2007, was boarded last Friday after it was found anchored between the islands of Malapascua and Carnasa in Cebu since May 19 without notifying the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The PCG said the Chinese crew of the ship initially barred Coast Guard personnel from boarding the ship.

Meanwhile, the BOC said the Chinese ship committed three violations and may have to be seized and auctioned off.

BOC Cebu district collector Edward de la Cuesta said he issued a warrant of seizure and detention on the ship to prevent it from leaving while being investigated.

De la Cuesta issued the warrant after receiving a formal report from the agency’s piers and inspection division chief Gerardo Macatangay.

De la Cuesta said that under the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines, the ship cannot be allowed to leave just by paying penalties.

He said the ship’s three violations are its failure to inform the BOC of its arrival within 24 to 48 hours, and present a cargo manifest and a general declaration.

De la Cuesta said even if the cargo hold of the ship was empty, the M/V Ming Yuan should still have submitted a cargo manifest and just indicated “nil.”

The general declaration of the ship would have revealed particular information about the ship such as its place of origin, destination, cargo, and identity of the skipper.

The warrant only covers the ship since it is the BI which would deal with the 24 Chinese crew. It was earlier reported that the BI has confiscated their passports and seaman’s books.

De la Cuesta said he would also request the Coast Guard to allow the vessel to dock at its station in Cebu so they could jointly watch over the ship.

Earlier, PCG Central Visayas district commander Commodore William Melad said that as advised by the PPA, they moved the ship to 1.3 nautical miles northwest of Tapilon Point where the PCG operates a detachment. – With Evelyn Macairan, Marigold Lebumfacil/Freeman