DoTr probes alleged overstaying vessels in Manila Bay

The Office for the Transport Security of the Department of Transportation will investigate the alleged overstaying of Chinese dredgers and their crew to ensure that the country is protected from any intrusion that may endanger both local resources and workers.

On Wednesday, 18 January, OTS administrator Ma. O Ranada Aplasca reached out to Maritime Industry Authority administrator Atty. Hernan H. Fabia through a letter to verify the operations of the Spectrum Marine and Shipmanagement, Inc. vessel within the coastal waters of Manila Bay.

Aplasca, in the letter, which was obtained by the Daily Tribune on Friday, said validating the presence of the vessel in the area was instructed by Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Francisco U. Sarmiento.

“Rest assured of our unwavering commitment to strengthening our partnership in compliance with the requirements of the ISPS Code and OTS issuances for a safe and secured maritime transportation system in the country,” Aplasca said.

The OTS set a meeting with the service directors of Marina or their representatives on Friday to discuss the matter. This reporter reached out to the office of Marina for comments but to no avail as of press time.

To recall, a group of Filipino seamen complained to the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Migrant Workers earlier this month over Chinese dredgers allegedly swamping Manila Bay.

The group warned that Chinese dredgers were reportedly using the same vessels to reclaim islands in the West Philippine Sea. They said the vessels that were supposed to be bareboat charters, which should be temporarily under the Philippine flag arrangement, employed Chinese crew.

As per MARINA resolution, Chinese vessels and their crew are not allowed to do business in local waters unless they secure a special permit from the agency.

However, MARINA NCR regional director Engr. Marc Anthony Pascua, in a phone interview, assured that the agency — mandated to develop and regulate the maritime industry — is on full alert for any intrusion, especially in Manila Bay, where a reclamation project is ongoing.

‘Rest assured of our unwavering commitment to strengthening our partnership in compliance with the requirements of the ISPS Code and OTS issuances for a safe and secured maritime transportation system in the country.’