Operatives of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) have seized some PHP12.7 million worth of smuggled rice off Tawi-Tawi, a top NFWM official said Tuesday. Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, said the shipment of smuggled rice was intercepted Monday around 670 yards (0.61 km) north of Papahag Island, Tawi-Tawi. Miraflor said the troops were on patrol at Chongos Bay, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi when they chanced upon a wooden-hulled vessel marked MV Katrina V, found to be loaded with 6,000 sacks of rice when inspected. The undocumented 6,000 sacks of rice of 25 kilos each came from Malaysia and are worth PHP12.7 million, he said. Miraflor said MV Katrina V, its crew, and the cargo were escorted to the Chinese Pier in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, and turned over to the Bureau of Customs. Miraflor did not identify the owner of the smuggled rice, who is allegedly based in this city.
Source: Philippines News Agency
