300K liters of allegedly illegal diesel seized from oil tanker; 2 arrested

Two crew members were arrested after 300,000 liters of allegedly illegal diesel was seized from an oil tanker in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. 

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, the oil tanker was flagged by the Northern Mindanao Police during a sea patrol operation last April 9. 

“Walang marking 'yung vessel. Walang documentation,” said Northern Mindanao Police regional director Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano.

(The vessel has no markings. There was no documentation.) 

The operation stemmed from information the authorities received about sightings of boats getting diesel from the tanker. 

Authorities believe that the seized diesel originated from another country. The police added that a syndicate is behind the illegal activity. 

“Separate crew 'yung nagdadala ng vessel from where it came from. Ida-dock tapos ibang crew ang magte-take over. Ang suspetsya namin ilalako din dito malakihan sa inland,” said Abrahano.

(A separate crew brings the vessel from its point of origin. It will be docked, and then a different crew will take over. Our suspicion is that the fuel will be peddled here in bulk inland.)  

Among those arrested is the captain of the tanker. They will face charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. They have yet to make statements on the matter. 

Meanwhile, a follow-up operation is ongoing to identify the other suspects. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News