North Korea ship’s fate up to BOC, DFA

MANILA, Philippines – Allowing a North Korean vessel to leave the Port of Subic in Zambales would largely depend on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the settlement of importation issues by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said they would meet with the two agencies today.

“The North Korean crew will be deported per Bureau of Immigration (order). As to the disposition of the vessel and the cargo, we will coordinate with DFA and BOC,” Balilo said in a text message yesterday.

The vessel M/V Jin Teng was inspected on Thursday and Saturday, but nothing suspicious was found.

It was detained on the basis of a United Nations Security Council resolution, which listed the ship as a potential carrier of weapons of mass destruction.

The resolution also required all member states to inspect all cargo ships to and from North Korea, including those not in the blacklist.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, a vice presidential bet under the United Nationalist Alliance banner, is apprehensive about the detention, though, as it may result in a new security problem for the Philippines.

“(What if) this is turned into an issue by North Korea? We already have the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) issue (and) now we would have a North Korea issue. It seems that we like to collect enemies,” Honasan, a former military officer, told reporters in San Simon, Pampanga.

As the Philippines has its hands full on the sea issue, he said “let us make sure that the US will help us.”

At least 21 crewmembers manned the 4,355-ton ship when it was held at Subic. Documents obtained by The STAR identified the cargo ship’s captain as Han Thae Hwan, 59.

His crew were identified as Choe Thae Hun, Jon Yong Sul, Kim Song Chol, Pak Won Sam, Kwak Kum Chol, Chae Jong Su, Kim Jung Hwa, Kim Yong Nam, Ryom Chol Jun, Ri Kyong Chol, Kim Hyong Sik, Hwangbo Kum Sok, Hwang Song Il, Yu Sung Il, Pang Chang Ho, Ri Kyong Phyo, Pak Chol Su, Ri Yong Chun, Choe Ryong Hun and Nam Chang Hun.

Balilo said the crew are not considered under arrest but are in custody for violation of immigration laws.

He stressed that the PCG is only tasked to guard the Sierra Leone-flagged vessel and has assigned patrol craft to secure it.

“The vessel is already frozen in accordance with the UN resolution. We are implementing the directive of DFA,” Balilo added.

PCG commandant Rear Admiral William Melad said today’s meeting is aimed at threshing out issues related to the ship’s “proper disposition as may be determined by various agencies.” - With Helen Flores, Bebot Sison Jr.