Authorities in Philippines arrested 13 Chinese nationals, 2 Filipino crew members, and 1 Chinese agent onboard a dredger vessel at the vicinity of Cabcaben, Mariveles, Bataan, on November 26.
In a report Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it apprehended 16 individuals after an inspection on the vessel’s crew and their pertinent documents.
The PCG team discovered that 13 undocumented Chinese nationals were onboard, including 4 who had attempted to hide during the said inspection. All 13 individuals were found lacking of proper documents.
On Tuesday the agent of the vessel reported to Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Limay regarding their intention for the conduct of pre-departure inspection, and subsequently requested for the issuance of a Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure before departing from port of Seafront Mariveles en route to San Felipe, Zambales.
However, the agent informed CGSS Limay that boarding the vessel was unnecessary, as all required documents were allegedly complete.
As a result, the authorities boarded the vessel for inspection. Legal action has been initiated against the 16 apprehended individuals, 13 Chinese nationals, 2 Filipino crew members, and 1 Chinese agent.
During the inspection, a military-style uniform, resembling those worn by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), was found onboard, according to PCG’s statement.
The arrested foreign nationals are being held in PCG detention facilities in Taguig City. Further investigations and legal actions are proceeding in coordination with relevant agencies.
