MANILA, Philippines - After two inspections of the Chinese cargo ship anchored near a marine sanctuary in Cebu for the past 33 days, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) declared yesterday there was no indication that the crewmembers were engaged in illegal activities.
PCG personnel took custody last Friday of the 24 Chinese crewmen of the 19,998-gross ton bulk carrier M/V Ming Yuan. The ship, anchored between the islands of Malapascua and Carnasa in Cebu since May 19, failed to inform government authorities of its arrival in the country.
Commodore William Melad, PCG Central Visayas district chief, said two inspections were conducted on board the Hong Kong-flagged Ming Yuan after the vessel was grounded for failing to submit the required notice of arrival to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Melad said that the inspection teams did not find any illegal contraband on board.
“As far as the Coast Guard is concerned, we haven’t seen any signs that they did something illegal,†Melad told The STAR.
He said that the cargo hold was in fact empty.
“According to the master of the vessel, they were just waiting for cargo to be loaded,†Melad said.
Melad said that the vessel also passed a Port State Control seaworthiness check that the PCG conducted.
He explained that the Ming Yuan is a commercial vessel and normally when foreign ships enter the country they should file a notice of arrival to corresponding agencies such as the BOC, BI and the PPA.
The problem is there was no notice of arrival and the Chinese have been anchored off Cebu since May 19.
The ship was near a famous beach and dive spot located beside a marine sanctuary.
Concerned fishermen and residents reported to the PCG the presence of the Chinese ship, which was initially suspected of pilfering white sand from the nearby islands.
The PCG said that the captain of the Ming Yuan informed the PCG that the vessel came from Taipei, Taiwan before the ship stopped in Malapascua while on en route to Isabel, Leyte.
The ship captain had reportedly claimed that the Ming Yuan was supposed to pick up cargo in Leyte but since this was not yet ready, the crew decided to temporarily stay in Malapascua.
Melad said that the vessel now remained grounded in view of cases with the BI and the BOC.
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 earlier that he issued a warrant of seizure and detention on the ship to prevent it from leaving while the case is 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 could not be allowed to leave just by paying fines.
He said the ship’s violations include the failure to inform the BOC of its arrival within 24 to 48 hours, and failure to present a cargo manifest and general declaration.