Cokaliong hands over blasting caps to PCG

CEBU, Philippines - Over 68,000 blasting caps with an estimated worth of P.6 million were turned over to the Cebu Coastguard District by the owner of Cokaliong Shipping Lines after these were found by Cokaliong Arrastre Services personnel last November 18 on board the M/V Filipinas Dinagat of the said shipping company.

The said vessel was docked at Pier I in Cebu City and set to sail for Maguino-o Port, Calbayog, Western Samar at the time.

“Cokaliong Shipping Lines was lauded for their vigilance and immediate action in preventing said contraband from being transported aboard its vessel,” Cebu Coast Guard station commander Rolando Punzalan said.

Punzalan said that last November 19, Chester Cokaliong, chief executive officer of the said shipping lines personally turned over four boxes containing the blasting caps to Coast Guard Station Cebu.

In a separate interview, Cokaliong said he does not want any of his vessels to be used in transporting any illegal items.

Punzalan said that the cargo consists of approximately 68,388 pieces of empty blasting caps weighing 82 kilos with an estimated market value of P683,880.00 at P10 apiece.

Coastguard suspected that these were to be used for blast fishing or terrorist activities.

Punzalan said a copy of the Bill of Lading was presented by Cokaliong and it showed the contents of the said boxes were declared as pebbles and groceries.

The shipper was a certain Rey Coyar and it was consigned to a certain Tejeh Devorah of Maguino-o, Calbayog.

Punzalan added that they are now locating the said persons in coordination with intelligence operatives of other government agencies and finding out if these persons truly exist.

Punzalan added the items will be turned over to the Philippine National Police for proper disposition. — (FREEMAN)