BOC files complaint vs two sea vessels involved in ‘paihi’

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed a complaint against the owners and crew of two fuel tankers that were allegedly involved in the illegal transfer of fuel or “paihi” scheme at Navotas Fish Port.

Nine members of the crew of MT Tritrust and 16 crew members of MT Mega Ensoleillee face charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN Law).

The affidavit stated that the crew of the two vessels were caught “in flagrante delicto (in the act of)” smuggling unmarked fuel.

“Clearly, the respondents were engaged in the illegal transportation of undocumented fuel given the results of the fuel marking testing, which resulted in FAIL results and their failure to present a Withdrawal Certificate and other pertinent documents evidencing fuel marking and payment of correct duties and taxes for the fuel in their possession,” the affidavit read.

“Thus, all fuel that is properly imported is fuel marked; on the contrary, unmarked fuel is presumed to be illegally imported,” it added.

Based on its diesel fuel inventory, the BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services BOC-CIIS said the MT Tritrust contained about 320,463 liters of diesel fuel while MT Mega Ensoleillee had 39,884 liters onboard.

“As we earlier reported, the unmarked fuel found in those two vessels amounted to P20.35 million, while the MT Tritrust was valued at P245 million and the MT Mega Ensoleilee at P450 million,” BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso said.

The total value of the fuel and two fuel tankers found by the BOC amounted to P715,350,000, Enciso said.

Authorities also found that the two vessels have no bunkering permits despite staying at the Navotas Fish Port.

Based on the registration documents, the two vessels are owned by Megapower Petroleum and Shipping Corporation.

Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said appropriate cases will also be filed against Megapower Petroleum's directors, corporate officers, and responsible officers.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News