MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will intensify its inspection of dredging ships operating in the Manila Bay area after the recent discovery of undocumented Chinese nationals on board a dredger in Bataan, a ranking government official said Saturday.
The PCG found 13 illegal Chinese crew aboard the dredging vessel Harvest 89 in Mariveles, Bataan before it departed for San Felipe, Zambales on November 26.
During the inspection, it also discovered a uniform resembling that of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), raising concerns over the Chinese nationals’ intentions.
“Because of this incident, the Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard has directed all our Coast Guard stations covering Manila Bay – from Coast Guard Station Cavite to Coast Guard Station Manila, Zambales, and Bataan to intensify the inspection of these dredger vessels operating here in Manila Bay and to board them and ensure that there are no Chinese nationals on this ship,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
Upon investigation, the PCG also found that the ship had no permit to conduct dredging activities in San Felipe, Zambales.
Tarriela said the dredgers operating in the Manila Bay area are supposed to be manned by Filipino crew as they are registered with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in the Philippines.
“Ang mga crew nito ay intended talaga na dapat Pilipino. At ito nga ang declaration nila, they are operating dredging dito sa Manila Bay at wala naman silang sinabi na mayroong Chinese nationals (Their crew are intended to be Filipinos and this is their declaration. They did not say they employ Chinese nationals),” he said.
Tarriela said the PCG is coordinating with the MARINA and the Bureau of Immigration to run after the owner and shipping agency, as well as pursue legal actions against the illegal aliens.
The vessel Harvest 89 is being detained by the PCG. (PNA)