Ilocos Norte's Sangguniang Panlalawigan conducts probe on escaped vessel impounded at Currimao

SP member Da Vinci Crisostomo with acting provincial police director Sterlong Blanco and a coast guard officer

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—A joint committee hearing of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is seeking enlightenment as to what really transpired on the impounded Taiwanese fishing boat, four months after its crew members managed to escape with the boat early this year.

On November 20, the Philippines Coast Guard impounded a Taiwanese fishing boat with a cargo of about 2,000 boxes of imported cigarettes. Concerned authorities composed of the PCG, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Customs conducted a thorough investigation but while on the process of validating documents, the impounded vessel reportedly escaped right under the noses of security personnel who were on duty at the Philippine Ports Authority.

Upon the directive of Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, SP member Da Vinci Crisostomo, in his capacity as chairperson of the committees on laws and peace and order conducted a joint committee hearing on March 31 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall to shed light on the issue.

Attended by members of the PCG, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Immigration and security personnel assigned at the PPA, only the representative from the Bureau of Customs failed to show up at the hearing.

In a letter addressed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, acting customs collector Lloyd Camangeg explained that he could not attend said hearing in view of a separate meeting he needed to attend in Metro Manila on the same day.

In view of this, Mr. Crisostomo said another hearing will be set to require the BoC to explain their side regarding the issue.

It may be recalled that the BoC personally issued a “seize and detention” order of the impounded Taiwanese vessel, suspected of containing cargo with smuggled cigarettes and prohibited drugs. That time, the foreign vessel was held at the Currimao seaport pending a clearance order from the BoC central office.

“Each of the (government) agencies who responded had their own roles to play in times like this. The Bureau of Customs have to explain so that we will legislate---to find out what really transpired,” Mr. Crisostomo said citing the incident that happened on November 20 was alarming and shameful when the vessel managed to move out of the Currimao seaport without undergoing proper clearance.

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