By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Personnel of the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) seized an estimated PHP114 million worth of smuggled cigarettes within its area of operation, an official reported Monday.
Rear Adm. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr., commander of WMNC, said the personnel aboard BRP-Florencio Iñigo (PC-393) intercepted two vessels for violation of maritime safety regulations while conducting patrol off Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Sunday night.
Reyes identified the two vessels as M/L Makhfeiyan and M/L M.K. Fiyan 1.
“The vessels were intercepted during routine maritime patrol operations off Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte after being detected operating without navigational lights,” Reyes said in a report Monday.
Operating a vessel without proper navigational lights is a serious violation of international and local maritime safety regulations, specifically the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
However, Reyes said that M/L Makhfeiyan and M/L M.K, Fiyan 1 were found carrying about 2,000 master cases of undocumented cigarettes.
“We have yet to determine the origin and destination of the confiscated undocumented cigarettes,” he said.
As of press time, the two vessels and their cargoes are being escorted to Ensign Majini Pier of the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon that houses the WMNC headquarters in Barangay Calarian in this city.
The WMNC’s apprehension of the two vessels carrying large quantities of contraband is the first for March this year.
Late last month, the WMNC also seized an estimated PHP197 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in two instances within its area of operations. (PNA)
