DAVAO CITY—A dozen men, including the captain of a motorboat carrying 5,000 sacks of rice, were apprehended by the Naval Forces of Eastern Mindanao in a joint counter-action operation conducted off Arena Point, Davao Oriental on Saturday night.
Ensign Aileens Jansor, spokesperson of the Philippine Navy in Eastern Mindanao, said NFEM personnel led by Captain Hadun Hamil apprehended the 12 boat crew aboard M/L Sunlight off the waters of Davao Oriental after they failed to present documents for their goods.
The joint forces of Naval Task Group 71 along with BRP Magat Salamat (Patrol Ship/PS20) and BRP Heracleo Allano (Patrol Craft 376) of Joint Task Force Haribon and two teams of Naval Special Operations Unit 7 confiscated the sacks of rice.
Janson said the crew could not present authentic National Food Authority shipping permits or transport documents. PNA
The vessel was also apprehended after the NFEM forces noted some naval violations.
“The BUCOS, PNP (Philippine National Police) Maritime and NFA were already informed,” she said.
Jansor said the boat was traveling from Zamboanga City to Compostela Valley.
“Initially they were supposed to bring the rice to a certain family in Maco, Comval,” she added.
The arrested crew are now in the custody of NFEM for further investigation. PNA