ZAMBOANGA: The Bureau of Customs is currently investigating the arrival of 12,000 sacks of rice in Zamboanga City reportedly without proper documentation.
Philippine Ports Authority 9 Regional Director Liberto dela Rosa said that the cargo was aboard the MV Glizylene 3, which arrived last July 27 and requested for a berthing space from the agency at the Zamboanga seaport.
Thought it was not provided a berthing space for lack of required notice, the vessel berthed beside another vessel at the local port. Authorities also discovered that the cargo aboard the vessel lacked the necessary papers.
The cargo was reported to have come from General Santos and passed by Sulu province before reaching Zamboanga City.
Customs officials asked that the cargo be detained for lack of documentation.
Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco reiterated her call to national government officials to further intensify efforts against smuggling activities and provide the necessary procedures in the transshipment of smuggled items within the country’s ports.