Coast Guard intercepts smuggled rice off Zamboanga City

ABOARD BRP MALABRIGO — Philippine Coast Guard personnel intercepted a motorlaunch loaded with smuggled rice Sunday afternoon in the vicinity south of Zamboanga City.

The BRP Malabrigo, a multi-role response vessel, was on patrol against smuggling and terrorism when it spotted M/L Sabrina three nautical miles away and sailing toward the shore of Zamboanga around 4 p.m. on Sunday.

"We spotted the wooden-hulled vessel steaming suspiciously and as part of our mission is to conduct board and inspection against possible presence of terrorists and smuggled goods [we boarded the ship.] The boarding and search team discovered the vessel was transporting smuggled rice," Capt. Charlie Rances, commanding officer of BRP Malabrigo, said.

Rances said that based on their initial investigation, the boat's skipper and his 10 crew members could not present valid transport documents for the smuggled rice. He said the M/L Sabrina also committed safety violations.

He said the vessel loaded with the contraband reportedly came from Sandakan in Sabah and is believed to have been preparing to enter the city under cover of darkness to unload its illegal cargo.

The intercepted vessel and its contraband were escorted towards the port of Zamboanga City for proper documentation and inventory.