PN Southern Luzon intercepts P50.8M smuggled diesel fuel

BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG902), under the operational control of Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL), intercepted an oil tanker, M/T Braleman 1, along with 11 crew carrying undocumented diesel fuel, more or less 847,000 liters, with an estimated market value of 50.8 million pesos on February 15 at 6 pm off Corregidor Island.

Before the interception, on February 14, 2023, NFSL received information regarding an apprehension alarm issued by Coastguard District Palawan dated February 12, 2023 to the said vessel.

Furthermore, NFSL tracked M/T Braleman 1 at vicinity of Cabra Island, Mindoro, as it moved toward Manila Bay until intercepted by BRP Lolinato To-Ong.

Naval Task Force 31 promptly deployed BRP Lolinato To-Ong, which was docked at Lucena Port, Lucena City. Prior to the conduct of the interception and apprehension operations, BRP To-Ong fetched five customs officers from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at Batangas Port to serve a seizure and detention warrant on the aforementioned vessel.

The Philippine Navy will continue and ready to assist the government on its campaign against smuggling of fuel in the country.

BRP LOLINATO TO-ONG PG(902) is the second brand new ship of the class of the Acero-class Fast Attack Interdiction Crafts-Missile (FAIC-M) patrol vessels of the Philippine Navy procured from Israel and was commissioned last November 28, 2022, and placed under the operational control of Naval Forces Southern Luzon.

M/T Braleman 1 is now being escorted to Manila Bay, where it will be handed over to the proper authorities.