PCG finds 13 Chinese illegals on dredger in Bataan

Authorities held 13 Chinese men found illegally working onboard a dredger ship, as well as discovered a suspected uniform of the Chinese military, in the waters of Mariveles town in Bataan province.

- By GHIO ONG

The Harvest 89 vessel notified the Philippine Coast Guard of its upcoming departure to its next port of call in San Felipe, Zambales, for dredging operations while anchored off Mariveles last Nov. 26, according to a report from PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela yesterday.

"However, when the PCG attempted to board the vessel for a pre-departure inspection and to secure the Master's Declaration of Safe Departure, the agent denied entry, claiming that all necessary documentation was in order," he noted.

A team from the PCG's substation in Limay town inspected the ship and found nine undocumented Chinese men onboard, as well as four others who went into hiding.

The 13 illegal aliens were identified as Luo Xiang Ming aged 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.

PCG personnel also discovered "a uniform resembling that of the People's Liberation Army," which Tarriela asserted raised "significant concerns regarding the intentions of these undocumented individuals."

A banner with Chinese text was also found in a cabin where the Chinese crew were held.

The ship manifest only contained the names of eight Filipino crew members, he noted, without including in his statement the names of the Filipino crew.

The PCG has reported its apprehension of the illegal aliens to "relevant government agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of these Chinese nationals," he added.

Tarriela vowed the PCG would "continue our vigilant inspections and take necessary actions to address any violations of maritime laws."