THE Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), through the Naval Task Force-61 (NTF-61), has seized some P15 million worth of contrabands off Tawi-Tawi, a top NFWM official said Friday, September 15, 2023.

Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, said the contrabands were seized on Sunday, September 10, in the vicinity of Titi Point, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Miraflor said the NTF-61 operatives aboard patrol craft (PC390) were conducting routine maritime security patrol when they sighted M/L Aizalyn III navigating in Titi Point, Sanga-Sanga.

Miraflor said M/L Aizalyn III was found of the loaded with undocumented assorted goods when inspected by the NTF-61 operatives.

He said the confiscated contrabands consisted of 1,950 sacks of refined white sugar, 253 boxes of noodles, 16 large and 60 medium sizes water tanks.

He said the confiscated contrabands, vessel, and its crew were turned over to the Bureau of Customs personnel based in the port of Bongao for proper disposition.

“This successful operation serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine Navy to safeguard the nation's maritime borders and protect against illicit activities that threaten the economic and security interests of the Philippines,” Miraflor said.

He added that the apprehension of the M/L Aizalyn III demonstrated the Navy's capability to swiftly respond to threats and maintain the integrity of Philippine waters. (SunStar Zamboanga)

Source: SunStar (https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1972857/zamboanga/local-news/navy-seizes-p15-m-smuggled-goods-off-tawi-tawi)