Luxury cruise firm faces P6-million estafa charges

MANILA, Philippines - The owner of a cruise ship earlier seized by the Bureau of Customs for alleged non-payment of taxes is also facing estafa charges filed by a shipping company for failing to pay P6 million worth of repairs and renovation done on the vessel.

In a resolution dated April 14, 2009, then Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez approved the filing of estafa charges and civil collection with damages against Boracay Property Holdings Inc. Esteban Tajanlangit, owner of luxury ship M/V 7,107 Islands Cruise.

The Bureau of Customs seized the M/V 7,107 Islands Cruise for non-payment of P19.8 million in taxes.

“For almost two years now, the vessel remained in the country operating as a cruise ship without a single centavo paid as customs duty,” Finance Undersecretary Estela Sales said in a statement.

John Orola said a warrant for Tajanlangit’s arrest would be issued by the court next week.

The STAR tried to get Tajanlangit’s side but he could not be contacted at his known addresses.

Orola, chairman of Orophil Shipping International Co., Inc., said in an interview that Tajanlangit entered into a ship management agreement with his company for the repair, renovation, salary of the crew and provisions of the M/V 7,107 Islands Cruise as it arrived in the country on Sept. 4, 2007.

The ship, formerly named Coco Explorer 2, entered the port of Batangas and was repaired and renovated by Orophil. Orola said he was not aware that the renovated ship would be used as a five-deck luxury cruise vessel serving the Coron-Puerto Princesa route. According to previous reports, the ship offers 137 rooms that can accommodate 400 guests “in five-star luxury.”

“How did Mr. Tajanlangit acquire and bring the 40-year-old ship into Philippine waters? How and when did the Maritime Industry Authority allow them to operate? Did the Department of Tourism approve the vessel to operate as a cruise serving local and foreign passengers? What documents had been presented to the Department of Transportation and Communications and the DOT?” Orola said. – Nestor Etolle