THE Philippine Coast Guard yesterday said the government needs to create entry ports for foreign private yachts to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the country.
Capt. Jomark Angue, PCG deputy chief for maritime safety services, made the recommendation as the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs held an inquiry on the 1.4 tons of shabu recently seized at a police checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas.
It was learned the illegal drugs were shipped using a foreign private yacht.
Angue said that current regulations allow foreign yachts to proceed directly to resorts or islands in the country without passing through inspection by authorities.
He said a law should be crafted so that concerned government agencies like the PCG, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, and the Bureau of Quarantine can inspect the vessel upon entry into the country.
“As per our current policy, the pleasure yachts are not subject to our inspection unless it is being used to carry passengers or cargo. But if it is for personal use, we have less jurisdiction on that,” Angue told panel chairman Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.
Angue said it would be beneficial if the government could designate a mandatory port for every region or province for the pleasure yachts coming in from foreign ports.
Dela Rosa assured that he would craft a proposed measure for the PCG’s concern.
Last April 15, police seized 1.4 tons of shabu while conducting a random checkpoint in Barangay Pinagkurusan in Alitagtag, Batangas.
The PNP said the illegal drugs were shipped via a private yacht which was reportedly used by “white men.”
Dela Rosa held an executive session with ranking police officials to get updates on the drug haul.
