Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 28) – The Bureau of Customs will issue a warrant of seizure and detention against an illegal and unauthorized Chinese dredger-type vessel spotted at the vicinity of Orion Point, Bataan on Wednesday morning.
According to an incident report, joint operatives of the BOC and the Philippine Coast Guard’s Task Force Aduana discovered that the ship’s automatic identification system was turned off and its two Cambodian crew members failed to present proper documents.
The vessel was granted departure clearance by a local BOC office in Aparri, Cagayan more than a year ago.
“Hence, its presence at said vicinity is illegal and unauthorized. The BOC is set to issue corresponding warrant of seizure and detention against subject vessel,” read the incident report.
Customs and the PCG have joined forces since last year on border control and against smuggling.
Taiwan was recently reported to have expelled around 4,000 Chinese vessels illegally dredging sands from its waters last year.
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