PCG: Undetermined quantity of dried seahorse were confiscated by the Coast Guard Station Manila personnel headed by LT MARY LEIZL BARBERO PCG of Coast Guard Legal Office together with Coast Guard K-9 Group, Sea Marshal Group (SMG) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) Intelligence Unit onboard M/V “ST FRANCIS XAVIER” at 3 o’clock this morning while she was docked at Pier 4, North Harbor, Manila.

Said passenger/cargo vessel of 11,191.11 Gross Tonnage, owned and operated by 2GO Group Inc. was plying Iloilo/Bacolod – Manila route when CGS Manila directed the Task Force Sea Marshal (TFSM) onboard “St Francis Xavier” to discreetly locate a 10-wheeler truck painted green and silver with plate nr WDZ-726 which was reported to be allegedly carrying undocumented endangered species.

Upon her arrival at Pier 4 at 2:56 AM today, the Board and Search Team immediately informed the skipper of the vessel of the presence of the reported smuggled dried sea horse and thereafter, requested the cooperation of the truck driver, Mr. Sueta Marjun and helper Mr. Benjio Estrella in the conduct of a search.

Initial inspection revealed that undetermined quantity of dried sea horse were loaded onboard the truck and were declared as “scrap plastics” in the cargo manifest by a certain John Lee.

Further, the team discovered other cargoes onboard which are also suspected to be containing other variety of endangered species.

Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) representatives also arrived at Pier 4 to conduct identification and examination to the confiscated cargoes.

At 1:13 pm, the team has recorded the following endangered species: seven (7) styro box containing 60 pieces of Pangolins or scaly anteaters, 13 sacks of sea horses and one (1) box of sea dragon.

The confiscated endangered species and the truck driver and his helper are presently under the custody of Coast Guard Station Manila and will be brought to Manila Prosecutor’s Office as physical evidence and for filing of appropriate charges.