PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) personnel apprehended 13 Chinese who were found to be undocumented during an inspection of a dredger vessel off Bataan last Tuesday.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said suspected People’s Liberation Army Navy uniforms were also found inside the vessel.
Tarriela said the agent of the vessel, Harvest 89, notified the PCG around noon Tuesday of its impending departure to its next port of call in San Felipe, Zambales, from Mariveles, Bataan.
Tarriela said the agent denied PCG personnel entry to the vessel during the initial attempt to board the vessel for pre-departure inspection and to secure the master’s declaration of safe departure.
Tarriela said the agent claimed that “all necessary documentation was in order.”
PCG personnel insisted on boarding the vessel to conduct the inspection.
“Upon boarding, the PCG composite team discovered nine undocumented Chinese crew members, all without proper documentation. Further investigations revealed that the crew manifest included only eight Filipino crew members,” said Tarriela.
Upon follow-up inspection, PCG personnel found four additional undocumented Chinese who were hiding, bringing to 13 the total undocumented Chinese inside the vessel.
The 13 were Luo Xian Ming, 56; Jiang Hai Gng, 48; Chen Yu, 40; Zhu Zhengli, 59; Zhou Zhi, 48; Zhou Chan Ggui, 51; Li Chun Liang, 45; Gong Qing Shan, 48; Wang Yu Man, 51; Wei Xue Yu, 49; Zhou Jib In, 49; Cheng Qing Yu, 48; and Hua Ming Qing, 50.
“Additionally, a uniform resembling that of the People’s Liberation Army was found on board, raising significant concerns regarding the intentions of these undocumented individuals,” said Tarriela.
Tarriela said the PCG is coordinating with concerned government agencies in the conduct of an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the presence of the Chinese.
“Efforts are underway to pursue legal action and ensure the custody of these undocumented individuals,” said Tarriela.
He said the operations underscore the commitment of the PCG to “safeguarding our maritime borders and ensuring the safety and security of our waters.”
“We will continue our vigilant inspections and take necessary actions to address any violations of maritime laws,” said Tarriela.
