37 charged over gun smuggling

MANILA, Philippines - Smuggling charges were filed yesterday with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 37 people, including 18 foreign nationals, in connection with the undeclared cargo of high-powered firearms seized by authorities off Mariveles town in Bataan last month.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera has ordered an immediate investigation into the complaint filed by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales, saying the “case is of national importance since gun smuggling is a threat to national security.”

In the complaint, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) accused the respondents of violating Section 3601 in relation to Section 101 (a) of the Tariff and Customs Code for bringing into the country the guns worth P5.6 million without the necessary import permit and documents.

Named respondents were the captain of the Panamanian-registered M/V Captain Ufuk where the cargo was seized, South African John Lawrence Burne, and his crew, Briton Bruce Jones and Georgian nationals Verdzadze Shalva, chief officer; Bejanidze Gocha, second officer; Shavishvili George, third officer; Lorthkipphanidze Eduard, chief engineer; Malakmadze Tamas, second engineer; Lorthkiphanidze Temur, third engineer; Malakmadze Albert, boson; Bakhtadze Rodam, A/B; Diamidze Gia, A/B; Makaradze Gia, A/B; Mskhaladze Damir and Pogosyan Venlentin, both oilers; and Makharadze Temuri, cook.

Also charged were the owners and crew of a yacht, M/Y Mou Man Tai, where the firearms were unloaded onto: Britons Derek Colin Gordon and Dave Smith, and Filipinos Silvestre Ilena Guanzon, Crispe Lacbayo Jaud, Mark John Flores, Lesley Osorio Englis, and Emillie Malagad Llanto.

The BOC also included in the charge sheet officers of La Plata Trading Inc., owner of the vessel: South African Gary Sidney Smith and Filipinos Michael Arcangel, Leopoldo Macasaet, Randee Napiza, and Oscar Amador.

The owners of the yacht were also named respondents: Isagani Jungco Jr., Barrio Barreto, Cristina Mendoza, Angela Vanessa Fabian, Marilyn Baluyot, and Marie Zjalaina Abueg.

The incorporators, directors and officers and representatives of the consignee of the smuggled rifles and pistols, Red White & Blue Arms Inc. – Marissa Claudio, Soraiya Cabrito, Severino Camlan, Rowel Dolap, Rex Duran, and Nelson del Rosario – were also charged.

The M/V Captain Ufuk was seized and its crew arrested last Aug. 20 by Customs, Coast Guard and police personnel who boarded the vessel while it was anchored at the Mariveles port.