525K liters of smuggled diesel seized
LAW enforcement personnel seized a tanker smuggling 525,000 liters of diesel worth P310.42 million off the coast of San Juan, Batangas, marking one of the largest fuel smuggling busts in recent months, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday. The operation unfolded at Subukin Port, Barangay Subukin, on Feb. 4, where authorities intercepted the motorized tanker MT Felisa and 11 fuel trucks stationed nearby, allegedly awaiting distribution of the illicit cargo. The PCG said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) took the vessel's crew members and truck drivers into custody and escorted them to the Batangas Provincial Police Office for further investigation. The PCG Task Force Aduana K9 unit found no illegal drugs or explosives on the tanker but made a startling find — the ship's captain hiding in a secret compartment onboard. The seizure was the result of a joint effort of the Bureau of Customs, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services-Manila International Container Port, PCG, CIDG and PNP. Investigators are working to track the masterminds behind this scheme and dismantle the network smuggling fuel into the country. The detained suspects face charges related to fuel smuggling and economic sabotage. One of the largest fuel smuggling busts transpired in October 2024, during which P300 million worth of fuel was intercepted, also in Batangas.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
LAW enforcement personnel seized a tanker smuggling 525,000 liters of diesel worth P310.42 million off the coast of San Juan, Batangas, marking one of the largest fuel smuggling busts in recent months, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday.
The operation unfolded at Subukin Port, Barangay Subukin, on Feb. 4, where authorities intercepted the motorized tanker MT Felisa and 11 fuel trucks stationed nearby, allegedly awaiting distribution of the illicit cargo.
The PCG said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) took the vessel's crew members and truck drivers into custody and escorted them to the Batangas Provincial Police Office for further investigation.
The PCG Task Force Aduana K9 unit found no illegal drugs or explosives on the tanker but made a startling find — the ship's captain hiding in a secret compartment onboard.
The seizure was the result of a joint effort of the Bureau of Customs, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services-Manila International Container Port, PCG, CIDG and PNP.
Investigators are working to track the masterminds behind this scheme and dismantle the network smuggling fuel into the country. The detained suspects face charges related to fuel smuggling and economic sabotage.
One of the largest fuel smuggling busts transpired in October 2024, during which P300 million worth of fuel was intercepted, also in Batangas.
