Briton ready to testify on gun smuggling

MANILA, Philippines - The British captain of M/V Captain Ufuk, the vessel reportedly loaded with smuggled firearms that was recently intercepted off Mariveles, Bataan, is reportedly willing to tell all on what happened but wanted to be placed under the Department of Justice’s witness protection program in return.

Bureau of Customs’ Enforcement and Security Service director Nestorio Gualberto said Capt. Bruce Jones, 49, appeared in his office, accompanied by his legal counsel, Joe Frank Zuniega.

Zuniega has already asked Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales and Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera that his client be placed under the witness protection program.

“Capt. Bruce Jones is a potential witness. He gave himself up to the bureau to help us track down the people behind the smuggling of these firearms,” Gualberto said.

Apart from Jones, another potential witness in the case is one of the 13 Georgian crewmembers of the Panamanian-registered M/V Captain Ufuk, identified only as a certain Jorge.

Zuniega started coordinating with Morales last week to relay Jones’ interest to surrender himself in exchange for the opportunity to give his side on the alleged smuggling of firearms and shed light on allegations that he was part of a gunrunning syndicate.

“Jones is afraid for his life and claimed that he is a victim and not a suspect. He is expected to disclose information and unmask those behind the operation,” he said.

Gualberto said they received information that a certain Dave Smith and La Plata Trading Inc. allegedly hired Jones last month to buy the vessel in Turkey for $800,000. The 13 Georgian crewmembers were also hired in Turkey.

The group then sailed to Jakarta, Indonesia to buy the firearms. The assault rifles and pistols were legally acquired from Pindan gunmakers in Jakarta for $86,000. Jones and his wife, along with the 13 crewmembers, then proceeded to Subic.

When they reached Subic, Jones traded places with South African national John Lawrence because his pregnant wife had been complaining. They alighted from the vessel and were dropped off in Subic. 

Some two weeks ago, the Coast Guard discovered the yacht M/Y Mou Man Tai, skippered by Briton Derek Colin Gordon Neville, which was allegedly hired to ferry Lawrence to M/V Captain Ufuk and bring Jones and his wife to Subic. No firearms were found on board the yacht.

Neville, Lawrence and the 13 Georgian nationals are all detained at the Bureau of Immigration’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.