The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Eastern Sarangani apprehended three Indonesian nationals onboard an unauthorized motorbanca loaded with fighting cocks at the vicinity waters off Sarangani Bay on 09 March 2022.

While conducting maritime patrol at around 11:30 p.m., the PCG team spotted a suspicious unlighted motorbanca traveling towards the border of Indonesia. Upon verification, the PCG team discovered that the motorbanca was carrying 190 fighting cocks, poultry feeds, animal medicines, and vitamins.

According to PCG District Southern Mindanao Commander, CG Captain Rejard V Marfe, the Indonesian nationals were identified as 36-year-old Bura Wangka (motorbanca operator), 38-year-old Zaidunin Makahiking, and 28-year-old Maman Bawimbang.

During the initial investigation, they shared that they were contracted to pick up a consignment of fighting cocks that were loaded onboard their motorbanca in Barangay Bawing, General Santos City to be transported to Tahuna, Indonesia.

The Indonesian nationals also revealed that they arrived in General Santos City on 06 March 2022. Likewise, no competent evidence of identity was presented to the PCG team during interrogation.

Upon further inspection, the PCG team found out that the motorbanca had no Safety, Security, and Environmental Numbering (SSEN) from the Coast Guard which was a violation of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Memorandum Circular Number 2017-001 dated 31 March 2017. They also failed to present a transport permit and other necessary permits from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) in General Santos City.

CG Captain Marfe said the three Indonesian nationals remains under the legal custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) since 10 March 2022, but under the physical custody of the PCG Station Eastern Saranggani. Meanwhile, the seized fighting cocks and other cargoes were turned over to the BAI for proper disposition.