PCG seizes smuggled fuel from Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Palawan recently seized at least P150,000 worth of gasoline and diesel fuel allegedly smuggled from Malaysia.

The 20 drums of gasoline and 30 liters of diesel were reportedly found on board a motorboat by PCG men stationed at Brooke’s Point, said PCG Palawan district commander Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista.

“This is not the first time that fuel and gasoline are being smuggled from Malaysia into the Philippines,” said Evangelista.

He said a concerned citizen tipped them off about the arrival of the contraband.

On May 29, maritime patrollers from the PCG, Naval Intelligence Security Group, Marine Corps and Marine Battalion Landing Team spotted a motorboat unloading the fuel in the waters off Bataraza.

The team confiscated the fuel after Amar Abduhalim, owner of F/B BMO Express, failed to show documents for the fuel. 

Authorities learned the BMO Express was allegedly operating with expired documents. Abdulahim was issued a maritime violation ticket and told to settle the matter within 10 days.

The drums of fuel were loaded onto an Isuzu Elf with license plate WLM-135, which the authorities also confiscated.

The fuel and the vehicle were turned over to the Bureau of Customs.