500 boxes of smuggled cigarettes seized

By Bong Garcia

Sunstar zambaonga, Sunday April 17, 2011

AN INTER-AGENCY operations have resulted to the confiscation Wednesday of some 500 boxes of assorted imported cigarettes in the village of Mangsee, Balabac, Palawan, the Philippine Navy disclosed Sunday.

Lieutenant Colonel Omar Tonsay, Philippine Navy public affairs director, said the anti-smuggling operation was launched after the Naval Forces West (NFW) managed to secure search warrant after receipt of information from concerned residents.

Tonsay said the search warrant was issued by Judge Sundiang Dilig against a certain Haji Mirza Abdullah for violation of Presidential Decree 1464 or the anti-smuggling law.

Tonsay said seven houses were also searched in the village of Mangsee, Balabac aside from that of Abdullah, which resulted to seizure of smuggled goods.

“Approximately 500 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes suspected to have come from Malaysia were confiscated and documented while inventory of other goods is in progress for subsequent filing of case,” Tonsay said.

He said that Navforwest commander Commodore Edgardo Tamayo credited the successful operation to the joint efforts and cooperation among the Navy, Marines, police as well as the support from the local government of Balabac and its concerned residents.

Sunstar.com.ph

Navy commissions 2 repaired vessels

By Elena L. Aben

Manila Bulletin, Sunday, April 17, 2011

As the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains wanting in the projection of naval presence, the Philippine Fleet based in Sangley Point, Cavite, last Friday marked its 73rd founding anniversary with the commissioning of two newly-repaired vessels.

Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesman, said coinciding with the Philippine Fleet’s founding anniversary, the fleet also launched its new IT-based Command Center.

Tonsay said the two newly commissioned vessels, the BRP Emilio Liwanag (PG118) and the BRP Manobo (AT297), were repaired using deadlocked parts sourced from the systems and machines of vessels e docked beyond repair.

The PG118 is one of the seven Patrol Killer- Medium (PKM) gunboats acquired from South Korea in 1995, but had to undergo repairs when she was turned over to the Philippine Navy.

On the other hand, the BRP Manobo is a combat and logistics support vessel that is used to transport personnel and material cargo. Formerly categorized as a Boat Unit of the Philippine Navy, she was commissioned to increase the logistics support capability of the Fleet and whose crew composition will be manned by officers.

Tonsay said the commissioning ceremony, which included the reading of the commission order, breaking the commissioning pennant, and hoisting the national flag and Jack flag were presided by the Navy Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC), Vice Admiral Alexander Pama.

Mb.com.ph

Officers and gentlemen

Photo By: Luzviminda J Lacbo

The Manila Times, Saturday, April 16, 2011

Philippine Navy personnel march during a commissioning ceremony in Sangley Point, Cavite province, on Friday as part of its 73rd anniversary celebration.

P15M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Palawan

By Redempto Ada

Inquirer.net, Friday, April 15, 2011

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines—An alleged smuggling syndicate operating in the southwestern tip of Palawan was busted and P15 million worth of assorted cigarettes from Malaysia were confiscated by intelligence operatives of the Western Command and Naval Forces West on Thursday.

Wescom spokesman Major Neil Estrella said Friday the bust was conducted following weeks of surveillance on the group believed actively involved in smuggling and using Mangsee Island in Balabac, an area nearest to the border of Malaysia, as a transit point of the contraband entering the country.

"This shipment route is very active. Almost every other week there are ... contraband that are able to get into mainland Palawan and into the rest of the country," Estrella said.

Based on intelligence reports from surveillance activities, Estrella said they applied for a search warrant and was granted by Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Dilig to investigate a network of warehouses in Balabac used by several Muslim traders based there.

"So far, we have searched seven warehouses and were able to retrieve at least P15 million worth of smuggled cigarettes. We're also looking into the possibility of drugs and firearms," Estrella said.

He said the operation was assisted by fast crafts of the US-assisted Small Boat Unit (SBU) of the PNP Maritime which was primarily intended for terrorist interdiction duties around Palawan's southern backdoor.

Smuggling charges were being prepared against several Muslim traders based in Balabac, according to Estrella.

Inquirer.net