CHARGED. Customs personnel appear during the Inquest Proceedings at the City Prosecutor’s Office in Navotas City on Saturday (Sept. 21, 2024). They filed multiple complaints against the owners and crew of two vessels involved in oil smuggling. -BOC photo
DAVAO CITY-— The Bureau of Customs has filed multiple complaints against the owners and crew of MT Tritrust and MT Mega Ensoleillee following their illegal transfer of unmarked fuel (paihi) at the Navotas Fish Port. The total value of the fuel and the two vessels amounts to P715,350,000.
The complaints were lodged at the Navotas City Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday, targeting nine crew members from MT Tritrust, 16 from MT Mega Ensoleillee, and the unnamed owners of the vessels.
The accused were apprehended after a fuel marking test conducted by the Enforcement Group’s Fuel Marking agents returned failed results.
“Clearly, the respondents were engaged in the illegal transportation of undocumented fuel, as evidenced by the failed fuel marking tests and their inability to present a Withdrawal Certificate and other required documentation for proper duties and taxes,” the BOC stated in a press release.
The BOC emphasized that unmarked fuel is presumed to be illegally imported. According to the BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services, MT Tritust contained approximately 320,463 liters of diesel, while MT Mega Ensoleillee had 39,884 liters.
Paul Trajera Palacio, a veteran news anchor got his Mass Communication Curriculum from University of Mindanao-Davao Campus.
He is the current News Anchor of Newsline Philippines.
