BY JESSIE P. MONGCAL, MDN News Bureau
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A top official of the Philippine Coastguard based in this city has confirmed that the full force of the Coastguard is on heightened alert during the observance of Ramadan and Holy Week.
Zamboanga City Coastguard Station Commander chief Larry Cendaña told MDN News Bureau that his men are placed in strategic places as augmentary forces especially in keeping the seas from untoward incidence and smuggling of illegal products.
Cendaña said since he assumed office he has already accomplished many things – from smuggling to illegal transport of forest products. But he clarified that no arrest made yet for cigarette smuggling, as they are still on intensive monitoring and intel gathering stages.
“With the anticipation of the influx of people in ports because of the observance of Ramadan and Holy Week we have deployed our people in strategic locations especially at the Zamboanga City port, and some other strategic locations,” the station commander said.
“We have arrested some illegal loggers while in the transport of illegal logs since I assumed office. This is to show them that we are not tolerating this kind of activity because it will destroy those businesses that are truly paying their taxes to the government,” Cendaña stressed.
During the Ramadan and Holy Week, we have malasakit help desks in place to assist passengers who have problems while in the ports. “They can always ask for help or assistance.”
He also added that they tag boats and other sea-worthy bigger boats to assist people in the seas who met with accidents and all other types of assistance that they can give. “All our boats are on stand by and we are ready to respond to accidents and other problems where our services are needed,” the commander concluded.
