The Provincial Board of Davao Oriental has launched an investigation into alleged oil smuggling in the towns of Tarragona and Baganga.
The Coast Guard Station-Davao Oriental (CGSDO) confirmed that a vessel was spotted in the waters off Taragona on October 22, 2024.
The agency reportedly received information that the vessel was allegedly involved in oil smuggling.
“Sa Brgy. Jovellar, Municipality of Tarragona, naay docking area kagabii. Nakalagay kasi dito, gumawa sila ng temporary floating asset then mga personnel o mga tao doon sa area is armed,” CGSDO Commander, Lt. Commander Vincent Brian Marcos, said.
CGSDO wondered why the vessel was in the area considering that it had issued a temporary suspension of sea travel because of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine at that time.
“Nagtaka kami paano nagkaroon ng barko diyan sa Tarragona, eh, wala mang pier,” Marcos added.
A board member also said he saw the vessel and pump boats.
“I was personally one of those who saw that floating vessel in the area. Naa gyud didto. In fact, naay mga pump boat, gagmay nga sea vessel,” Board Member, Art Benjie Bulaong, said.
CGSDO personnel were supposed to go to the vessel the following day but it was no longer there.
Another board member pointed out that there is no oil depot in Tarragona but several tankers were spotted in the area.
The barangay chairman of Jovellar reportedly is not aware of the alleged illegal activities.
Meanwhile, CGSDO said a vessel docked in Barangay Lambajon, Baganga town in May 2024.
It was flagged after crew members failed to show documents but reportedly managed to escape.
“Ang personnel ko sa Davao - Baganga, lima lang, we have lack of personnel. At that time, ongoing din ang construction ng substation sa San Victor. So, hinati-hati ko yung tao dyan, Sir. With regards na details siya, hindi 24 hours na kaya naming bantayan yan, Sir, kasi meron din kaming other functions na ginagampanan,” Marcos said.
The municipal council has opened an inquiry into the fuel depot and the vessel spotted in Barangay Lambajon.
A person who claimed to be the owner of the vessel reportedly admitted that they were conducting a dry run and hauled around 281,000 liters of fuel.
“During the session, they admitted na nag-dry run sila, naghabwa og 281,000 liters,” Baganga Councilor Joan Monday said.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-11) also conducted a raid at the fuel depot previously but did not see actual smuggling. However, they saw Bisaya-speaking Chinese nationals.
“When we are trying to custody them, we were advised by Manila to refrain. The instruction was to waive because that is the job of the Immigration,” NBI-11 Head Agent, Vicente Minguez Jr., said.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it was a case of smuggling.
“With this kind of fuel smuggling, this is example of pure smuggling kasi di na po siya dumadaan sa customs house… dahil fuel smuggling po siya, we have a fuel marking team,” Sambitore Lucman II of the BOC said.
According to the Davao Oriental Provincial Board, the investigation was launched to craft resolutions or ordinances that can strengthen security in the province and to allocate funds for law enforcement agencies.