Filipino, Malaysian vessels seized for fuel smuggling

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A Malaysian cargo vessel and a fuel tanker based in Navotas, Metro Manila have been seized for allegedly attempting to smuggle P29.6 million worth of fuel in the waters off Tawi-Tawi.

Personnel of the 112th Marine Company and the local police arrested the 16 Malaysian crewmembers of the M/V Marnia Penang as well as the 13 Filipinos on board the M/T Jaslyn Stacy Legazpi during a joint operation near Lihiman Island in Taganak on Saturday.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, chief of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, said the operation was based on information that an illegal activity was ongoing in the area.

Investigation showed the Marnia Penang, which came from Deojor in Malaysia, unloaded 400,000 liters of diesel with an estimated market value of P29.6 million to the Jaslyn Stacy.

The vessels had been in the area for three days before they were apprehended.

Jaslyn Stacy captain and manager Rodrigo Sarol told authorities that they linked the tanker to the cargo vessel in order to transfer the diesel.

Sarol said they were also waiting for another vessel loaded with 200,000 liters of diesel to arrive.