By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday (14 Aug 2024) described the sinking of the MTKR Terranova as a Pandora’s Box, exposing long-standing oil pilferage and smuggling operations that have been tolerated for years.
According to Remulla, the incident highlights how the government may be losing billions of pesos due to what is commonly known as the “paihi” system.
“Ito yung paihi na tinatawag. Dalawang klaseng paihi yan. Yung isa, yung sa suppliers ng oil, talagang humihigop talaga sila ng porsyento ng langis… Ito yung Batangas-based group na in-charge ng paihi. Pilferage of oil na matagal nang nananaig na sindikato,” Remulla disclosed in a press conference.
The owner of the MTKR Terranova had earlier denied that the ship was involved in oil smuggling.
“Yung pangalawang paihi naman, itong sa tax ano, sa smuggling na tinatabihan sila ng ibang barko, mag lalabas sila ng fuel na hindi pa nababayaran at hindi pa na markahan ng Bureau of Customs,” Remulla added.
On July 25, the MTKR Terranova capsized and sank 3.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan, resulting in the death of one crew member.
Just two days later, on July 27, another vessel, the MTKR Jason Bradley, carrying 5,500 liters of diesel, also sank off the waters of Mariveles, Bataan, and was found to have leaks.
A third vessel, the MV Mirola 1, ran aground near the shore of Mariveles town, with oil observed leaking into the ocean from its tanks.
“At sa aking tingin, pwedeng umabot ito ng daang bilyon na nawawala sa atin dahil sa mga sindikatong nananaig sa paihi ng fuel,” Remulla said.
ia/mnm
