MAHIGIT sa P55 milyong halaga ng smuggled cigarettes ang nasabat ng mga tauhan ng Philippine Navy sa kanilang Back-to-Back Operations sa dagat, sakop ng Zamboanga at Sulu.

Ayon sa ulat na isinumite sa tanggapan ni Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Q. Ezpeleta PN, tatlong sasakyang dagat na may lulan na undocumented cigarettes, na may kabuuang market value na aabot sa P55,766,870.00, ang nasabat ng mga tauhan ng Western Mindanao Naval Command sa magkahiwalay na sea interdiction.

Noong Linggo nasabat ng Naval elements ang M/V SARHANA may isang nautical mile sa katimugang bahagi ng Marungas Island, Sulu, na may lulan na 600 master cases ng assorted cigarettes mula Jolo, Sulu, patungong Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte, na may halagang aabot sa P34,680,000.00.

Sa nasabi ring araw mas pinaigting pa ang maritime interdiction at dito nasabat naman ang MB FATIMAH DARSA (also known as MB MADMAX-2) malapit sa Little Sta. Cruz, Zamboanga City.

May sakay itong 336 master cases at 45 reams ng smuggled cigarettes, na may halagang P19,454,370.00.

Una rito, naharang din ng Phil. Navy ang M/B AAFIYA SHEZA sa bisinidad ng Recodo, Zamboanga City at nadiskubre ang lulan nitong 25 master cases ng “BOSQU” brand tobacco, na nagkakahalaga ng P1,532,500.00.

“In accordance with standard operating procedures, all apprehended vessels, crew members, and illegal cargoes were escorted to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon for medical check-ups and processing. The items were subsequently turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Zamboanga for proper inventory and final disposition,” ayon sa report.

“These operations underscore our commitment to securing our borders and protecting the nation’s economy from the detrimental effects of smuggling,” pahayag naman ng WMNC.

(JESSE RUIZ)