THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is investigating a Liberian-flagged cargo ship after being intercepted with 60,000 sacks of undocumented rice with an estimated value of P120 million in Zamboanga.
In a statement, the PCG said cargo vessel MV J-Phia was intercepted around 25 nautical miles Southwest off Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, last week. It has a 50,242-gross tonnage and overall length of 282 meters.
The PCG apprehended the vessel after receiving information it was transporting a cargo transferred from a foreign vessel somewhere in the Sulu sea.
“When pressed for questioning, the captain of the vessel claimed the vessel’s last port of call was Cagayan de Oro, but could not show any records of departure. The PCG units in Cagayan de Oro also disclosed the vessel had no record of departure in their area of responsibility,” the statement read.
The PCG then escorted MV J-Phia to the Zamboanga Port for proper disposition. The vessel’s owners and crew may face smuggling cases.
“The PCG with the Bureau of Customs will initiate forfeiture proceedings of MV J-Phia and will file appropriate charges against its crew members,” the statement read.