By Christian Dee
MAYNILA – Nitong Huwebes, Pebrero 16, sinabi ng Bureau of Customs na nahuli ng kawanihan, sa pakikipagtulungan sa BOC Intelligence Group, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), at Philippine Navy (PN), ang isang motor tanker sa Batangas.
Ayon sa pahayag ng BOC, ang nasabing motor tanker na kanilang nahuli noong Miyerkoles, Pebrero 15, ay may dala-dalang 850,000 na ipinuslit na langis.
Napag-alaman ding walang government-approved marker at mga kaugnay na dokumento ang MT BRALEMAN 1 motor tanker.
Naiulat din ni Teddy Raval, Deputy Commissioner ng BOC Enforcement Group, na ang naturang fuel cargo at ang isa pang maliit na motor vessel na F/L ST Mariner ay naugnay sa ilegal na kalakalan ng mga produktong petrolyo, ayon sa kawanihan.
“The task force, composed of BOC, PN, and Philippine Air Force assets, apprehended and instructed both vessels to proceed to the El Fraile in Manila Bay, where BOC and PN personnel served the warrant and apprehension order,” anang BOC sa ulat nito.
Nahuli ang dalawang sasakyang pandagat na nag-withdraw ng gasolina at patungo sa Pier 13 sa Port of Manila.
Sinabi naman ng BOC na sumailalim sa pagsisiyasat at sinampahan na ng kasong kriminal.
“Crew members underwent inquest proceedings and were criminally charged for violation of Section 1401 in relation to Section 1430 of R.A. No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (“CMTA”), Fuel Marking Program under Section 148-A of the National Internal Revenue Code (‘NIRC”), as amended by R.A. No. 10963, otherwise known as the “Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law”, as implemented by DOF-BIR BOC Joint Circular No. 001-2021 and penalized under Title X of the NIRC and Title XIV of the CMTA,” saad ng ahensya.