The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is investigating the undocumented Chinese crew aboard the MV Sangko Uno caught at Navotas Port on Sunday, September 15.
In an incident report, the PCG said that the crew members were aboard the Philippine-flagged dredging vessel at around 6:00 PM when they were caught. The response team confirmed that five crew members are Chinese nationals, while one is Filipino-Chinese. The Coast Guard team suspects that the individuals are undocumented.
On Monday, September 16, the individuals presented their legal documents and passports from their company office. The PCG also coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to assist in verifying the legal status of the mentioned crew.
Meanwhile, the authorities gathered relevant documents like; the crew list, the ship’s logbook, and other available records for investigation purposes.
The crew is subjected to deportation if found guilty of violating Philippine immigration laws. They have also made inquiries regarding the company’s legal obligations to the concerned crew. The company may face appropriate fines or penalties if found guilty of violating maritime and immigration regulations.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Chinese Embassy for diplomatic communication will also be informed about the incident.
The MV Sangko Uno will remain at the Navotas Port until the investigation is completed.
