Sailors of the Western Mindanao Naval Command have arrested seven individuals and seized P695,533 worth of smuggled petroleum products in separate operations off Tawi-Tawi. Rear Admiral Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr. said the bulk of the smuggled products was seized on October 13, and the rest on October 10. The sailors were on maritime patrol when they sighted a motorboat southwest of Sikalangkalong Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, which was found carrying 50 drums and 10 gallons of diesel and seven Liquefied Petroleum Gas tanks worth P542,561. Another vessel, M/B Har-Jhasmier, was intercepted on October 10, approximately 23.1 nautical miles northwest of Taja Island, Pearl Bank, Languyan, transporting 2,500 liters of gasoline, four corroded LPG tanks, and assorted goods lacking proper documentation, with an estimated market value of P152,972. All confiscated products and watercrafts were turned over to the Bureau of Customs, while the apprehended crewmen were released in good physical condition.
