Navy apprehends foreign ship for illegal activities

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (April 16, 2018) – The Western Mindanao Command through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao apprehended a foreign Motor Vessel for illegal transporting of smuggled tons of rice during a counter-action operation in the vicinity 15 nautical miles Southwest off Olutanga Island, Zamboanga Sibugay Province at 10 p.m. on Saturday (April 14), military official said.

Prior to the operation, a joint intelligence information and monitoring has been established by the Littoral Monitoring System Pilas (LMS Pilas) and MSAC-WM under the operational control of Naval Forces Western Mindanao to facilitate the rescue and assistance operation for the unresponsive vessel believed to be harassed by terrorists groups on Saturday (April 14) at 7 o’clock in the evening.

Upon verification of the information, the Commander Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Rear Adm. Rene V Medina directed the Naval Task Force 61 for an intensified maritime patrol and interdiction operation in the area after the suspicious movement made by the unknown foreign vessel. The PN Vessel BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS 38) while conducting naval blockade in connection with the recent kidnapping incident in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay Province near the vicinity of Olutanga Island, was directed to seize the said vessel with BA 485 which immediately departed in Zamboanga City. The foreign motor vessel is identified as MV Diamond 8, a Mongolian registered vessel with 15 crew members, 11 Bangladesh and 4 Chinese nationals. The ship captain is known to be Lin Yang Yin, a Chinese national.

Based on the initial investigation, more or less 27,180 sacks of Vietnam rice in 1,359 metric tons with an estimated market value of P67, 950, 000.00 were on board. However, it was found out that MV Diamond 8 already unloaded more or less 7,000 to 8,000 sacks of rice to two (2) Motor vessels namely, MV Yssa Maine and MV Yousra. Also on board are 34 undocumented Filipinos of which 1 is a minor and 17 individuals that are subject for identification.

Further, NFWM immediately informed and coordinated with other cognizant agencies, the Bureau of Customs, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Immigration, PNP CIDG 9 and Department of Social Welfare and Development. MV Diamond 8 was escorted by PS 38 en route to Ensign Majini Pier (EMP), Naval Station Romulo Espaldon(NSRE), Zamboanga City for further investigation, documentation of undocumented individuals on board and proper disposition. While BA 485 is currently locating MV Yssa Maine and MV Yousra. Upon arrival of the said vessel at anchorage area near Ensign Majini Pier, the crew and individuals on board the said vessel were given medical and physical check up prior to their turn over to the proper authority.

Regardless of the presence of unlawful activities, Rear Adm. Rene V Medina assured the public that the Philippine Navy will continue to deploy its water assets for relentless and intensified maritime patrol. He also reiterated that all vessels passing through the Western Mindanao Area of Responsibility are being monitored by LMS and MSAC-WM. The successful foiling of the illegal transport of smuggled tons of rice is a result of an intensified and focused maritime patrol and operation of the Philippine Navy. With this, the Philippine Navy through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao will continue to conduct constant monitoring and patrolling to deter any unlawful activities in its area of operation for a secured maritime environment.