‘Smuggled’ rice, sugar seized in Tawi-Tawi

MANILA, Philippines —  At least 2,000 sacks of rice and sugar believed smuggled into the country were seized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the waters off Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday.

The sacks of rice and sugar were reportedly loaded in M/L Jasmin Michelle II, which was intercepted near Bongao by the BPR Cape San Agustin skippered by PCG Lt. Jeffrey Collado. 

Each sack contained 25 kilos of sugar and rice, which reportedly originated from Malaysia, according to PCG-Bongao Tawi-Tawi station chief Lt. Euphraim Jason Diciano said.

The officers and crewmembers of the motorlaunch failed to present documents pertaining to the transport of the goods. 

The M/L Jasmin Michelle II was towed to Zamboanga City for further investigation.