Customs launches operation against alleged oil smuggling at Bataan port

 

A Bureau of Customs operation against suspected oil smuggling at the Philippine Ports Authority port in Orion, Bataan was thwarted by a delay caused by the port's security guards.

 

According to a report on GMA's “24 Oras” aired Friday night, Customs Intelligence Group agents were stopped by security guards at the gates of the PPA Bataan port because they needed clearance from officials to get in.

 

When the Customs agents were finally allowed inside, they only found a boat that can carry up to 8,000 liters of oil and that they suspect is being used to smuggle oil within the port. Authorities found pumps and hoses on the boat, which, GMA News reporter Jun Veneracion described as smelling of oil.

 

In the distance was a tanker truck where operatives believe oil from the small boat was hurriedly transferred.

 

“If it happened at night then it's really difficult for us to see it. I do only have two guards or one roving and one guard at the gate,” PPA Port Manager Herman Tuguigui said.

 

Rolando Ricafrente, district collector at the Port of Limay, Bataan, meanwhile said the incident will be investigated.

 

“Di po natin masabi ang involvement ng mga tao dito at nagkaroon nga dito ng ganyang pangyayari pero nagusap po kami ng ating PPA manager at iniimbestigahan po nila ito kung bakit nagkaroon dito,” Ricafrente said.

 

“Ito po ay kung titignan natin maliitan lan, pero pag pinagsama-sama natin, malaking amount din po ang nawawala,” he added.

 

The government loses an estimated P100 million a year to oil smuggling. — Andrei Medina/JDS, GMA News