The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has relieved its deputy commander in Masbate following a botched inspection that allowed a vehicle carrying over ₱170 million worth of illegal drugs to board a passenger vessel undetected.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the removal of the deputy commander while an administrative investigation is conducted to determine his accountability. According to the PCG’s statement on Saturday, the failure to perform a routine vehicle inspection before the vehicle boarded the vessel led to the incident.
Details of the Incident
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported on Thursday that authorities seized 25 packs of shabu, each weighing about a kilogram, at Pier 5 in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City. The vehicle, carrying a mother and her 41-year-old son, had traveled from Masbate using a roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessel.
The PCG’s initial investigation revealed that no thorough inspection was conducted before the vehicle was allowed to board the vessel. Authorities only apprehended the vehicle upon its arrival in Cebu City.
Confiscated Items
From the suspects, authorities recovered:
- 25 packs of shabu
- A sedan
- Three smartphones
- Two identification cards
Charges for transporting illegal drugs will be filed under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Coast Guard Accountability
The deputy commander claimed he was attending a courtesy meeting when the inspection failure occurred. However, the PCG emphasized its responsibility to ensure thorough inspections at ports to prevent the transport of illegal drugs.
The investigation aims to ensure accountability and prevent similar lapses in the future.