PCG: Coast Guard Station (CGS) Tawi-Tawi together with the Bureau of Custom (BOC) personnel seized P874,000 worth of smuggled fuel at vicinity waters off Simunul Island, Tawi-Tawi last 03 November.

CGS Tawi-Tawi received information from BOC that a motor launch is engaged in a fuel smuggling activity at Obol Pier, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi.

Upon positive verification of the report, CGSS Tawi-Tawi and BOC Bongao proceeded to the said area and identified the sea craft as M/L “Atika” carrying 95 drums of unleaded fuel. While conducting routine inspection, the master of the craft failed to present pertinent documents to the PCG.

Investigation revealed that on October 29 said motor launch departed at Chinese Pier, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi enroute to Siasi, Sulu where they conducted the loading operation of smuggled fuel. After the said operation, M/L “Atika” departed Siasi, Sulu enroute to Tabawan, Banaran, and Simunul in Tawi-Tawi and while underway, said motor launch encountered engine trouble and was towed going to Simunul by motorboat “Ainur”.

On November 03, Barko Republika ng Pilipinas Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) towed M/L “Atika” going to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi and was detained for further inquiry and investigation.

Mr. Aliasgar Hashim, owner of the motor launch admitted that the cargoes were smuggled from a motor tanker named Khalila which was allegedly anchored at Siasi, Sulu. 

Mr. Hashim settled the fines amounting to P 10,000.00 for the first offense with stern warning for leaving port without PCG Clearance as stipulated under Section VIII paragraph 6 of the PCG Memorandum Circular Number 07-12 dated August 2012 (Pre-Departure Inspection).

CGS Tawi-Tawi turned over the said motor launch and cargoes to BOC Bongao for proper disposition.