Coast Guard nabs 15 suspects in oil pilferage

Joint operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) apprehended 15 suspects for stealing fuel oil off Limay, Bataan the other night.

The Coast Guard and the NBI conducted the joint operation to verify and check reports of oil pilferage in the seawaters of Limay.

Commander Joseph Coyme, PCG spokesman and chief of the PCG’s Public Information Office, said that at around 10:35 p.m. on Monday, PCG operatives on board the DF 310 spotted two motor tugboats and a motor banca at approximately 51 nautical miles southeast off Lamao Pier, Lamao, Bataan.

On closer inspection, the suspects were seen transferring oil from MT Mira to an unidentified motor banca.

The DF 310 then maneuvered to apprehend those involved in the oil pilferage.

Upon seeing the approaching PCG watercraft, three persons reportedly fled towards MT Agena, the other motor tugboat alongside MT Mira, to hide.

However, after the Coast Guard cornered the suspects, all crewmembers surrendered to the authorities.

Some 37 plastic containers, with a capacity of 30 liters each, were confiscated from the suspects.

Eight of the containers were fully loaded with fuel oil wile 29 others were still empty.

The 15 suspects on board the three boats were escorted to the headquarters of the PCG wharf for proper disposition.

The PCG will turn over the suspects and the confiscated plastic containers used as fuel receptacle to the NBI, which will determine the appropriate charges to be filed against them.

"This accomplishment demonstrated the true commitment of the new leadership of the PCG, under the command of its newly appointed Commandant, Rear Admiral Damian Carlos, to address oil pilferage at sea," the PCG said in a statement.