PCG defends personnel after Manila mayor questions presence in raid

January 30, 2020

The Philippine Coast Guard defended its personnel questioned by Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno'' Domagoso on Wednesday during the interception of a pork celery dumplings tested positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.

Capt. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, identified their personnel that was quesrioned by Domagoso as Seaman Second Class (SN2) Jercel Dela Cruz, who with the K9 unit of the PCG Task Force Aduana. 

In a video during the interception, the mayor questioned the presence of a coast guard personnel (Dela Cruz) at the container warehouse at the Harbor Center, North Harbor, Port Area.

"What are you doing here? Report him to Coast Guard. There is no sea here. What sea will you guard here? This area is full of containers," Domagoso said in Tagalog.

"You surrender him to his agency and ask them what is business here? Why is he protecting this warehouse?," he added while giving directives to the Manila City personnel.

Domagoso  directed his personnel to disarm Dela Cruz.

Balilo explained that Dela Cruz "is assigned at the Harbor Center, North Harbor, Port Area, Manila to oversee two shipments containing approximately 17,000 kilograms of pork celery dumplings from Guangzhou, China that have been declared positive of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus by the Bureau of Animal Industry – Department of Agriculture (BAI – DA)."

"Dela Cruz was covering his face when the cameras were pointed to him because he is part of the PCG’s covert operation on anti-corruption and anti-smuggling initiatives in partnership with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as agreed upon in the memorandum of agreement ( MOA ) signed on 03 January 2019," he said.

"Dela Cruz’s official duty at the Harbor Center was covered by said MOA, as well as mission order, letter of authority (LOA), and implementation plan," Balilo noted 

Dela Cruz and the rest of the PCG Task Force Aduana are responsible in ensuring that all containers have proper documents or clearance before entering or exiting Port Area, he said.

"They are also tasked to augment the Port Inspection Division (PID) personnel of BOC in under-guarding containers until delivery to its destinations," he added.

Balilo also noted that the "PCG personnel also assist in serving LOAs and warrants of seizure and detention, as well as to ensure that all items covered by said LOAs and WSDs are in custody and at the disposal of the BOC until otherwise released by lawful orders."

He said the shipments arrived at Port Area during the second week of December 2019.  

"It is scheduled for destruction this week after the receipt of clinical laboratory report from BAI – DA on 22 January 2020," Balilo said.

"Per latest information from PCG Task Force Aduana, the containers have been shipped in Porac, Pampanga last night. This morning, 30 January 2020, the containers are in Mexico, Pampanga pending for destruction," he added.

Balilo said Task Force Aduana recommended to relieve Dela Cruz from his post after his identity and safety was compromised because of the incident. Robina Asido/DMS