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The Bureau of Customs seized on September 28 an illegally discharged China-flagged vessel in Manila Bay
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The MV Long Xiang 8 attempted to evade seizure and detection, prompting the agency to mobilize a team to seize the ship
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MV Long Xiang 8 was discovered to have used a fake name, and its name painted over to avoid identification
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The seized vessel is currently moored in the Manila Bay area pending seizure proceedings and filing of charges for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on September 28 seized an illegally discharged Chinese-flagged vessel in Manila Bay.
BOC said the vessel, MV Long Xiang 8, was discharged from its carrying vessel, MV Aal Kobe, and arrived at the Port of Manila from Iloilo port. MV Long Xiang 8 was not included in the manifest-waybill and had no corresponding import declaration entry filed by the ship owner or agent with the BOC.
BOC said based on intelligence reports, the vessel attempted to evade seizure and detention by the government. This prompted Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero to mobilize BOC’s new fast patrol boat to prevent the vessel from escaping.
READ: BOC gets first of 20 water patrol boats
A composite team of members of the Enforcement and Security Service-Port of Manila District Office, BOC-Quick Reaction Team (BOC-QRT), and Water Patrol Division (WPD) was immediately dispatched to locate and board the vessel, resulting in its seizure.
The vessel was discovered to have used a fake name identified as Yue Xin He 813 to avoid detection during voyages. Further information from QRT and WPD personnel who boarded the vessel showed the vessel’s name on its stern had been covered with white paint.
The seized vessel is currently moored in the Manila Bay area, guarded by WPD personnel pending seizure proceedings and the filing of charges for violation of Section 401 (Importations Subject to Goods Declaration) of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
