KUALA LUMPUR – Hundreds of drums of petroleum products believed to be smuggled from Kudat, Sabah, have been seized by the Philippines National Police (PNP) from a motor banca off the coast of Palawan.
According to GMA News Online, the petroleum products, which include diesel, were reported to have been smuggled in efforts to bring them to gasoline stations in the Palawan province.
It is understood that the authorities apprehended the captain and 10 crew members of the vessel, who were reported to be from Balabac.
They will be facing charges for the illegal sale of petroleum products and violation of the Tax Reform Act of 1997.
“Based on our investigation, these came from Mangsee Island, Balabac, Palawan, but the fuel came from Kudat, Malaysia.
These are sold in the southern part of Palawan – Bataraza, Brooke’s Point, Quezon, Palawan. That is where they are distributed,” said PNP Maritime Group 2nd Operations Unit public information officer Police Captain Anna Viola Abenojar.
Authorities have warned distributors and even consumers of smuggled oil that they could also face charges if caught.
“They do not have the proper permit, and these products do not have tax, so this means that these products are not allowed for sale.” – October 14, 2024