PHL maritime agencies admit cargo inspection problems

Several government agencies concerned with the maritime industry admitted before the Senate on Monday that there are no regular inspections of shipments in the absence of a mandate in their respective charters. "These agencies are powerless... They should be given the legal framework," Senate environment committee chairman Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said after Monday’s hearing on poaching of endangered marine species. The inquiry was prompted by a shipment of 163 stuffed hawkbills and green turtles, 21,169 pieces of black corals, 7,340 pieces of Trumpet and Helmet shells, and 196 kilograms of sea whips, which was intercepted by authorities last month. The items were declared as raw rubber. Philippine Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Ramon Liwag and Philippine Maritime Group Police Chief Supt. Francisco Don Montenegro told the Senate committee that the Coast Guard and the and maritime police were mandated to guard against illegal fishing. In case the Coast Guard or the marine police would like to inspect cargo shipments, the respective agencies would have to course a request with the Bureau of Customs (BOC). "The mission of the maritime group is actually law enforcement over Philippine waters," said Montenegro. BOC Deputy Commissioner Horacio Suansing Jr. said that the bureau may open shipments only on the basis of intelligence regarding suspicious cargoes. "We just do that when there are reports in our office," he said. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Asis Perez likewise said that they are very careful in ordering the inspection of shipments. "Yun po ang isang kinakatakot natin, kasi ma-di-delay naman po ang trading," Perez said. On the other hand, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) administrator Emerson Lorenzo said his agency can only implement the regulation that bans hazardous items. But this does not allow MARINA to inspect cargoes that have been declared as relatively safe products. MARINA may only exercise its authority when the cargo is already onboard the ship, he said. "The jurisdiction of MARINA is more on the operation of the ships," he explained. New Muro Ami? Environment Sec. Ramon Paje, however, said that they will still have failed in their duty even if they succeed in confiscating such contraband because the marine species have already been displaced from their habitat. "Even if we have confiscated these, we cannot return them... that is the sad part," he said, adding that he thinks the collection of sea shells and black corals has become the new Muro Ami. Muro Ami, according to the travel website Camperspoint, is a Japanese-inspired fishing technique using children that drives the fish out of their natural habitat by smashing corals beyond repair. "I would not be surprised if they are using children in extracting [the marine species]," Paje said. However, Paje and Zubiri separately said in the course of Monday’s hearing said marine poaching cannot be stopped without the support of local government units. "The government should have every right to protect its people and its natural resources," said Zubiri. This Wednesday, the senator said another hearing will be heard with Li and Lim Trading, which shipped the illegal coral shipment, and the Zubiri said they will still conduct another hearing on marine life poaching on Wednesday, where they have summoned the shipper of the illegal coral shipment, Li and Lim Trading, and the cargo-forwarding company JKA Transport System, which transported the cargo. — VS, GMA News