Subic attracts P100-B new investments in first 7 months

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has generated new investments of about P100 billion in just the first seven months of 2016, recording one of the biggest half-year investment turnouts for this free port since its establishment in 1992.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said in a media briefing here on Monday that several big-ticket projects were approved by the SBMA board of directors in the first half of 2016, compared to the previous four years when the SBMA attracted only P42-billion worth of new investment projects.

SBMA Chairman & Administrator Roberto V. Garcia

Garcia said the biggest of the new projects is the P60-billon joint venture by an Australian firm with Asian Institute of Aviation, an existing locator at the Subic Bay airport.

“They would transport agricultural products from Australia, mostly meat and seafood, repack them here, and then fly or ship them out to customers worldwide,” Garcia explained.

He added that the partners would put up an intermodal cargo terminal, use both airport and seaport, and expect to turn out around 60 containers per month for the Subic seaport.

“So that is going to be a big help,” Garcia said. “Their investment is going to be P60 billion for this project alone, and it will generate 800 jobs, not counting those for the construction work.”

Garcia said the project would also involve building new hangars, as the investors would bring in seven jets for their operations and offer maintenance and repair operations for jets, mostly from Hong Kong.

Garcia clarified that this commercial operation, which would occupy the northeast corner of the Subic airport, would not affect the proposed use by the Philippine Air Force of the southwest portion of the Subic airport for military training and logistics under the Expanded Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).

The SBMA board, Garcia added, has also approved an industrial estate project worth P34 billion in a 400-hectare area in the Redondo Peninsula, near the site of the Hanjin shipyard.

The proposed industrial estate project will include the development of a 200-megawatt solar plant and the construction of warehouses and logistics facilities, and the establishment of factories, and generate around 53,000 jobs.

Garcia also mentioned that Korean shipbuilder Hanjin has received the green light from the SBMA to put up its own 12-megawatt solar power plant at Redondo.

Another big project that was recently approved by the SBMA board of directors was the ship-to-ship transfer operation for liquefied natural gas, which will be worth another P5 billion.

“Things are looking good,” Garcia said, pointing out that aside from the big-ticket investments, the Subic agency has approved “a lot of smaller projects.”

“So as far as I’m concerned, we have a lot of activity in the pipeline for the next three to five years,” Garcia added. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic expects bigger cargo volume in 2016

WITH all the reforms that the seaport in Subic has implemented over the last few years, the volume of goods flowing in and out of the facility, deemed as the top international cargo shipping hub in Northern Luzon, should increase this year.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto V. Garcia said the Port of Subic has shown “great potential, as more businesses utilize Subic as their entry point to the Philippines.”

Cargo unloading at the Port of Subic

“We anticipate a growth in volume as more and more companies capitalize on the services and facilities here and the much greater access and efficient transportation of goods the area provides,” he said.

Together with the Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), the SBMA has opened a one-stop shop (OSS) in its new container terminal (NCT) 1, significantly reducing port document processing time from one day to a mere four hours.

Roberto R. Locsin, general manager and president of SBITC, said that, with the recent upgrades, the port would be more efficient in handling the expected surge in cargo volume.

“The upgrades will ensure that our clients, both local and international, will receive world-class port service at the shortest turnaround time,” Locsin said.

The OSS also provides a designated lounge where brokers are given access to Wi-Fi and workstations. The company also recently acquired from Finland Generation G reach stackers that have a 45-ton lift capacity.

To date, the port offers cargo-handling services for both 20- and 40-foot containers, as well as the bigger 45-foot boxes for a full container load (FCL) and especially-handled cargo. The terminal also allows 10-day free storage for cargo exports and imports.

In 2015 SBMA introduced lower harbor and berthing fees resulting in a 75-percent increase in regular port calls from shipping companies that have been doing business in the area for years and new ones ready to take advantage of the latest opportunities.

With strategic business partnerships, trucker costs are now more competitive amounting to almost only a third of the previous price.

“Our seamless and cost-effective transfer of goods allows port users to maximize their business operations,” Locsin said.

With an annual capacity of 600,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the terminal is projected to exceed last year’s 120,000-TEU cargo volume, now that more business enterprises from nearby Bataan and Clark Field in Pampanga course their cargo through Subic.

Garcia said his group believes that Subic is the best option for businesses that carry imported and exported goods to and from North and Central Luzon.

Garcia also noted that the SBMA has adopted a preadvise system for trucks to improve traffic flow in and out of the free-port zone. This system was first implemented in the Port of Manila and has already made significant improvements in minimizing the dwell times in the port. This is the same efficiency expected to benefit the companies in the Subic port.

“All of these developments in NCT-1 and 2 manifest our readiness to accept the much greater volume of cargo in the port,” Garcia said. “We continue to strive to deliver world-class service and management in our operations as part of our mandate and continued commitment to help drive economic growth in the country. The much greater volume will pose a completely new set of challenges.”

Subic has been making head-way in terms of transshipment and maritime logistics services, overshooting its 2014 port revenue of P908.6 million by 25 percent, with a P1.16-billion collection last year. The port has significantly grown in 2015, as it recorded a 123,558-TEU cargo volume, from just 77,618 TEUs in 2014. (Lorenz S. Marasigan, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/2016/07/30/subic-expects-bigger-cargo-volume-in-2016/

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SBMA, Globe Telecom hold WASAR training in Subic

Members of the SBMA Fire and Rescue Team and the Globe Telecommunication-Emergency Response Team (Globe-ERT) conducted a collaborative water search and rescue (WASAR) exercise at the Subic Bay Freeport waterfront area Thursday morning (July 28) to further enhance joint sea disaster and flooding rescue operations.

Around 30 personnel from the said company trained alongside SBMA rescuers.

Globe Telecom also pledged to donate an inflatable rubber boat with outboard motor to the SBMA Fire and Rescue Team for use in search and rescue operations. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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BoI approves Subic power plant

Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., led by Meralco PowerGen Corp., received a certificate of registration from the Board of Investments for its 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Subic, Zambales costing P63 billion.

“The registration entitles RPE to duty-free importation of equipment, materials and spares used for the power plant for a period of five years from date of registration. Also income tax holiday for four years from commercial operation,” RP Energy project development manager Joselito Lantin said Friday.

Lantin said RP Energy would build the project in phases. The company is currently negotiating for the engineering, procurement and construction contract covering the first 300-MW phase of the project.

He said the EPC contract would include an option for a second 300-MW unit.

“Targeted to start construction for phase one is fourth quarter 2016. Expected commercial operation is late 2019/early 2020,” Lantin said in a recent briefing.

Electricity generated by the project is covered under a separate power supply agreement with Manila Electric Co. accounting for 225 MW and Aboitiz Energy Solutions contracting 75 MW.

The company signed an amendment to the power plant site lease and transmission line right-of-way lease agreements with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in February.

“We will do 300 MW and then [expand to] 600 MW, depending on our capability to interconnect with NGCP [National Grid Corporation of the Philippines]. It just takes a few months before you can start the phase two,” Meralco PowerGen chairman Manuel Pangilinan said earlier.

Meralco PowerGen is the power generation arm of Meralco, the country’s biggest power distributor, and owns a majority stake in RP Energy. (Alena Mae S. Flores, Manila Standard)

Full story: http://thestandard.com.ph/business/211878/boi-approves-subic-coal-plant.html

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Asian tourists love Subic, Clark

Koreans and Taiwanese composed the majority of the 1.4 million foreign and local tourists who visited Subic and the 900,000 who trooped to Clark in 2015, according to Ronaldo Tiotuico, the regional director of the Department of Tourism in Central Luzon.

The tourists come to the Philippines for weekend casinos and golf courses, Tiotuico said. Subic attracts more tourists than Clark because it is a seaport with natural wonders, theme parks, white beaches and convention facilities that can accommodate up to 9,000 participants, he added.

Clark, a former air force base, also offers casinos and two golf courses and a convention center that can hold 1,000 persons. Outside the base, Angeles City offers culture, heritage houses and food tourism.

Clark will host a bicycle race on July 30 with 600 participants. The cyclists will visit tourists spots inside the base, which is being promoted as a biking hub. There will also be a two-day trade exhibit by bicycle producers and traders at the mall inside the base, Tiotuico said

Other tourist spots near Clark, Tiotuico said, are the Lahar 4x4 trail, the Mt.Pinatubo crater and the Sta. Juliana native village, which attracts 300 tourists a week.

Tourism authorities are anticipating the conversion of Clark International Airport into a dual airport, but the lack of infrastructure and traffic dampens their enthusiasm.

According to Tiotuico, the tourism gains of a dual airport system will spill over to Regions 1 and 2, including the Cordillera.

However, some sectors urged Tiotuico to first develop the rich tourism potential of Central Luzon to serve the expected increase in arrivals.

Some of these potential tourist magnets are the Death March trail dating back to the World War II, beaches, the Mango Festival of Zambales and Aurora, the planting season of Nueva Ecija and its Science City, the war memorial of Bataan, and the Giant Lantern Festival and the Via Crucis of Pampanga.

Lack of tourism information prevents foreign and local tourists from fully experiencing the treasures of these destinations, they said. (Romeo Dizon, The Standard)

PHOTOS: 
Fun-tastic activities in Subic Bay that attracted 1.4 million foreign and local tourists in 2015 (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-provinces/211499/asian-tourists-love-subic-clark.html

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Olongapo City officials undergo drug tests in support of anti-illegal drug campaign

OLONGAPO CITY - Local officials in this city led by Mayor Rolen Paulino submitted themselves to drug tests Wednesday as part their support to the national government's campaign against illegal drugs.

There was no special treatment for the local executives led by Paulino. They underwent all procedures-- from filling out forms and physical examination, to submission of urine samples.

“Ginawa naming ito para ipakita at maging ihemplo para sa mga taga Olongapo, kung yung iba nating mga kababayan ay umamin na user or pusher, ito naman ang paraan naming para ipaalam sa taong bayan na malinis at hindi involve sa drugs ang mga namumuno sa kanila,” Paulino said.

Among those who underwent drug testing are Vice Mayor Jong Cortez and city councilors led by Lugie Lipumano, Bj Cajudo, Noel Atienza, Ed Guerrero, Winnie Ortiz, Edna Elane, Linus Bacay, Bas Palo and Jerome Bacay.

“It was a surprise drug test, I told vice mayor Cortez and the city council to meet me in a restaurant and then I led them to the drug testing center,” Paulino said.

All tested negative both for marijuana and Methamphetamine Hydrochloride locally known as shabu.

Last week, around 400 drug dependents, or what the Philippine National Police called reformists, surrendered to Mayor Paulino and the local police and pledged not go back using or dealing illegal drugs.

According to Paulino, the city will be providing them livelihood options like as casket-making, as well as making eco-bags since the city is now implementing the no-plastic policy and making caskets.

Paulino explained that the city will be providing free caskets to indigent residents who can not afford it. “It will save us a lot of money, instead of buying from private funeral homes plus it will provide livelihood to others,” Paulino explained. (SNL)

PHOTOS:

Left: Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino is assisted by a nurse at the drug testing center. Local official led by Paulino underwent a drug test Wednesday, with results yielding negative for illegal drugs.

Right: Olongapo City Vice Mayor pose for a picture before submitting his urine sample at the drug testing center Wednesday. 

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SBMA gives computers to schools ‘to even up learning field’

Talk about levelling the learning field for schoolchildren.

As part of its commitment to help catalyse growth and development in neighboring communities, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be giving away desktop computers to various schools in Olongapo City and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia said the agency is looking forward to donating around 90 units of used but serviceable desktop computers to help schoolchildren undertake basic learning in information and communications technology.

“This is our way of taking up the cudgels for the youth who lack access to equipment that could boost their skills and learning potential, to level the playing field,” Garcia explained.

“We have tacitly given these children the responsibility to assume leadership in the years to come, but how could they improve themselves if they lacked the wherewithal to do so? These computers give them the fighting chance, so to speak,” Garcia added.

Garcia said the Hewlett-Packard computers were just replaced with newer models when the agency opted to upgrade its system to achieve greater computing power and to bolster systems efficiency.

According to Vergil Joseph Lansangan, head of the SBMA Management Information Systems Office, they have been putting to good working condition the computer units decommissioned from various SBMA departments prior to delivery to recipient schools.

He said that the units, while not top of the line, are just a few years old. “They’re certified A-Ok,” Lansangan added.

Lansangan said his office had recently delivered 37 computer units to Balanga City for the beneficiary schools. The rest have been allotted to schools in Olongapo and Zambales.

Nomer Alviz, an information technology officer at the SBMA-MIS, said the units have been bundled with basic software that students could readily use.

The software programs are all licensed, he added. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA-MIS head Vergil Lansangan (4th from left) and other SBMA staff delivers computer units for use of schoolchildren in Balanga City. Other units will be donated to various schools in Olongapo City and Zambales. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Government eyes Subic-Clark cargo railway system

The Department of Transportation will pursue a dedicated cargo railway line between Subic and Clark as part of reforms in the cargo sector that would help resolve the country's traffic crisis.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who was guest speaker at an event Tuesday organized the World Trade Center in Metro Manila, revealed the Subic-Clark railway line as among his plans for the transportation sector.

Tugade said connecting Subic port to Clark via a railway for carrying cargo, which he said has President Duterte's approval "in principle," will also be able overcome trucking costs.

The transport chief also vowed to build a passenger train line linking Metro Manila and the Clark freeport zone in Pampanga, where the alternative gateway Clark International Airport is located. The train line would connect Clark to Metro Manila either in the Trinoma Shopping Mall in Quezon City or the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Tugade said.

These plans are among the campaign promises of President Duterte which form part of a massive effort to increase connectivity and cut road and air congestion via mass railway systems.

As part of a longer term goal, Tugade said all freight vehicles would travel around the country only via railway and roll-on/roll-off, or Ro-Ro, shipping systems, helping decongest roads.

Tugade said plans would still need to be studied by the National Economic and Development Authority, but it was the government’s intention to move swiftly. Tugade said his department would formalize plans within 90 days.

“The train will be there,” Tugade said.

Clark International Airport, despite excess capacity, has struggled to lure passengers due to the lack of mass transit options. By contrast, Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where expansion options are limited, is operating beyond its intended capacity.

The need for railway systems has been identified under previous administrations. The difficulty has been getting these projects off the ground, typically due to their complexity, high-cost and right-of-way issues. (Inquirer.net)

PHOTO:
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade

http://business.inquirer.net/212193/transport-chief-vows-train-line-to-clark

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Coast Guard continues patrol in disputed waters

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Tuesday it will continue patrolling in the West Philippine Sea following the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) favoring the Philippines’ case against China’s territorial claim to the disputed waters.

Coast Guard Spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said he has instructions on what action to take in the West Philippine Sea but for the meantime said the Coast Guard vessel BRP Pampanga will continue to patrol the area from Subic to Northern Luzon.

BRP Pampanga

Balilo said that although the vessel’s position far from the Scarborough Shoal, it is ideal that the BRP Pampanga is already at sea so it can immediately deploy once orders arrive.

Once the BRP Pampanga is deployed at the Scarborough Shoal, it will likely stay there for only a few days at a time, he said.

He recalled that when they went to the shoal in 2013, they stayed there with a vessel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for four days before another ship arrived.

“Vessels take turns at the Shoal every three to four days,” he said, adding that they have a smaller ship available for deployment.

He said that the Coast Guard has been conducting sovereignty patrols in the West Philippine Sea since 2013 but only covered 12 nautical miles as ordered by Coast Guard Rear Admiral William Melad.

“We have not been approaching Scarborough Shoal but BRP Pangasinan has been patrolling along the territorial waters. For national security reasons, Admiral Melad gave an order to not go beyond 12 nautical miles,” Balilo said. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/coast-guard-continues-patrol-in-disputed-waters/

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SBMA continues private sector partnership for mangrove management

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has continued its partnership with the private sector in the restoration and management of mangrove forests in this free port, gaining more support this year for planting and clean-up projects, as well as public awareness campaigns.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the agency has again successfully tapped business locators in the Subic Freeport for sustaining its mangrove restoration program, which was launched by the SBMA Ecology Center early last year.

He said the companies that joined SBMA mangrove projects in the first half of 2016 were Asia International Auctioneers, Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Services, Chowking, Sankyo Denki Corp., and Anscor Swire.

The project participants since January also included the International School of Manila, international delegates to the Asia Forestry Week Convention, and SBMA employees.

“We’re evidently getting more support for this program,” Garcia said, pointing out that five business locators and two schools joined restoration projects last year.

“I believe that through our diligent information program, more and more stakeholders in the Freeport as well as other areas have come to appreciate the importance of mangroves not only in food production, but also in coastal protection and tourism,” the SBMA official added.

He said the project participants helped plant mangrove seedlings, clean mangrove areas and collect saplings, tag mangrove trees, construct seed plots and establish mangrove nurseries, donate nursery materials and equipment, and conduct lectures to local students.

According to Rhea Jane Mallari, senior forest management specialist at the SBMA Ecology Center, project participants have planted saplings at the Binictican, Malawaan and Maritan mangrove areas here.

Mallari said the SBMA mangrove reforestation program followed the natural zoning of species. Hence wildlings of the pototan, bungalon, and saging-saging species were planted at the Binictican site, bungalon wildlings at Malawaan, and nursery-propagated piagau and bakawang lalaki at Maritan.

Based on the Ecology Center’s monitoring, it was found out that nursery-raised seedlings had a higher survival rate compared to wildlings that were harvested from the planting sites.

The SBMA initiated the mangrove awareness and restoration campaign in early 2015 to increase public awareness on the importance of mangrove ecosystems; encourage stakeholder participation in mangrove management; protect and maintain the integrity of mangrove forests in the Subic Bay Freeport and ensure their sustainability; and attract research and ecologically-sound activities in the mangrove areas of Subic Bay. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and volunteers from business companies at the Subic Bay Freeport plant mangrove seedlings at the Triboa Mangrove Park during the Earth Day celebration in Subic Bay Freeport last April. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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PAL supports plan to move private aircraft out of NAIA to Sangley, Clark or Subic

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines over the weekend expressed support on the plans of the government to remove private jets parked at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

"We declare our full support to the new government's decision to move the operation of general aviation of general aviation out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to either Sangley, Clark, or Subic," Chairman and CEO Lucio Tan said in a statement.

Sought for clarification, PAL said that general aviation refers to privately owned aircraft, charter services, and all other related operations.

"This declaration of support includes moving out of NAIA my small fleet of private jets as gesture of compliance to the Department of Transportation initiative," Tan said.

The transportation department earlier announced plans to move out all private operations in NAIA, leaving the airport to purely commercial operations in efforts to decongest it.

"The move of the Department of Transporation will significantly decongest the NAIA which currently shared by general aviation operators and scheduled airlines," Tan said.

"Any measure to reduce air traffic congestion at NAIA will not only improve airlines' flight schedule reliability but also enhance passenger convenience," he added.

The PAL in April announced it has inked a purchase agreement with Airbus for the firm order of six A350 XWBs, plus six options.

The airline currently has more than 70 planes with flight services to 30 domestic, and over 40 international destinations. (ALG, GMA News)

PHOTO:
The Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA)

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/574030/money/companies/pal-supports-plan-to-move-private-aircraft-out-of-naia

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Toyota dealership to open in Subic

TY family-led conglomerate GT Capital Holdings Inc. has entered into a joint venture deal to set up Toyota car dealerships within the former US naval base, Subic Bay Freeport.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, GT Capital said it had obtained the go-signal from the Securities and Exchange Commission to incorporate Toyota Subic Inc. (TSI).

TSI is a joint venture between GT Capital Auto Dealership Holdings Inc. (GTCAD), a newly incorporated and fully-owned subsidiary of GT Capital, and JBT Global Holdings Inc. GTCAD will own 55 percent of the new company while and JBT Global will own 45 percent.

JBT Global is the holding entity of businessman Jose B. Tan, a strategic partner of Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. – the automotive subsidiary of GT Capital – in Toyota San Fernando, which operates Toyota dealerships in Plaridel, Bulacan and Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac City.

TSI, for its part, will operate future Toyota dealerships of the joint venture within the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). (Doris Dumlao-Abadilla, PDI)

http://business.inquirer.net/212030/gtcap-to-open-toyota-dealership-in-subic

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US Navy missile cruiser docks at Subic following WPS patrol

The USS Shiloh, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy, docked at this premier Freeport yesterday after conducting routine operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The ship arrived here two days after the release of the United Nations (UN)-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that rejected China’s claims over much of the WPS.

The USS Shiloh was part of the group of the US Carrier Strike Group 5, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

The patrolling US Navy fleet also included the USS Chancellorsville, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON), and aircrafts from Carrier Air Wing (CVW).

A report from the US Navy stated that the routine operations in the WPS are conducted to maintain and improve readiness and develop their cohesion as a strike group.

Meanwhile, the John C. Stennis Strike Group and the Carrier Strike Group-5 (CSG-5) conducted Dual Carrier operations.

According to the Rear Admiral John Alexander, commander of Task Force 70, the Dual Carrier operations is done to maintain interoperability between the ships and aircrafts.

He added that these forward-deployed ships are operating in the WPS to maintain the area “open for all to use.”

“The U.S. Navy has flown, sailed and operated throughout the Western Pacific in accordance with international law for over a century, and will continue to do so,” Alexander said. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
The USS Shiloh, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy, is moored at the Alava Wharf of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone for a routine port call Thursday (July 14) morning. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://www.mb.com.ph/us-navy-missile-cruiser-docks-at-subic-following-wps-patrol/

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STATEMENT OF SBMA CHAIRMAN & ADMINISTRATOR ROBERTO V. GARCIA ON “FLOATING SHABU LAB” SEIZED OFF SUBIC BAY

This is to clarify that the suspected “floating shabu lab” raided by PNP operatives Monday night (July 11) was intercepted within the municipal waters of the town of Subic, and NOT within the secured waters of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority/Subic Bay Freeport.

The vessel was seized off the coast of Calapandayan in the municipality of Subic, Zambales

Further, please be informed that SBMA, through our Intelligence and Law Enforcement offices, has been closely coordinating with the PNP during the surveillance of the vessel in question.

We assure our community and the public at large that the SBMA is always alert in securing the waters of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone against sea-going vessels that may engage in illegal activities.

The SBMA will continue to fully cooperate with our national law enforcers as we actively pursue our government’s fight against drugs and criminality in our country.

-end of statement-

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Floating shabu lab seized off Subic, 4 HK nationals nabbed

Authorities seized Monday night a 50-meter Chinese fishing vessel-cum-floating shabu laboratory off the coast of Subic in Zambales, arrested four Hong Kong nationals and recovered half a kilo of shabu valued at P2.5 million.

This is the second time that a shabu floating laboratory was discovered in Philippine waters. The first one was in 2013.

Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) spokesman Supt. Enrico Rigor said they learned about the floating shabu lab after the arrest of a member of a drug syndicate and confirmed by tipsters.

“I believe this is the first time that we encountered this — a floating shabu laboratory. We are yet to determine how large the production but we believe that this ship is supplying a big portion of the shabu consumption in Luzon,” said Rigor.

The raid on the fishing vessel which was docked 30 minutes away from the Subic Bay port was pulled before midnight Monday.

“It’s a fishing vessel. But when it was boarded, there is no trace whatsoever that it is being used or was previously used for fishing,’ said Rigor.

PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa motored to the area, inspected the ship and confronted the four Hongkongese identified as Shu Fook Leung, 49; Kam Wah Kwok, 47; Wing Fai Lo, 42; and Kwok Tung Chan, 29. One of them is a chemist.

Rigor said the vessel is equipped with high-tech navigation equipment which includes a sonar capable of detecting approaching ships.

Senior Supt. Albert Ignatius Ferro, AIDG director, said the K-9 dog of the Coast Guard sat down in one of the areas of the ship indicating traces of shabu inside.

Authorities seized a transparent plastic pack containing half-a-kilo of white substance suspected to be shabu and the hydrogenator which, according to sources is capable of manufacturing 25 kilos of shabu a day.

The travel record of the Hongkong nationals show that they arrived in the country by plane seven days ago. Kwok, according to Rigor had been to other countries, including Europe prior to his arrest.

“We believe that they are the chemists. They were there for the manufacturing of the shabu inside the vessel,” said Rigor.

Since May

Tipsters said the fishing boat has been in the area since May sailing in the areas of Ilocos, Cagayan and Subic area at least three times in the past months. Persons on speedboats and jet skis were also seen visiting the docked vessel.

Rigor said they are eyeing the possibility that the P1 billion worth of shabu which was dug up on a beach resort in Cagayan recently came from the fishing vessel. Cohorts may have already unloaded a shabu shipment when the AIDG operatives boarded the vessel which explains why they only seized a small amount of shabu.

Based on intelligence reports, Rigor said the vessel would get either finished product or raw ingredients in manufacturing shabu from China.

“It only takes two to three days to manufacture shabu. And this seems to be the safest for them to manufacture shabu in the sea,” said Rigor.

The Hong Kong nationals will be brought to the AIDG headquarters in Camp Crame and charged with violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act. The vessel is currently being guarded by the Coast Guard. ( Aaron B. Recuenco, with reports from Jonas Reyes, Franco G. Regala, Manila Bulletin and PNA)

PHOTO:
ON ALL FRONTS – What looks like an ordinary fishing vessel on the outside (left photo) is actually a floating shabu laboratory that was seized by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in an operation Monday in Subic Bay. PNP chief Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa (Inset) confronts four Chinese nationals nabbed in the 50-meter vessel which was said to have ferried drug shipments to Zambales, the Ilocos, Cagayan, and Pangasinan. (Jonas Reyes, PNP-Public Information Office Photo/mb.com.ph)

http://www.mb.com.ph/floating-shabu-lab-seized-off-subic-4-hk-nationals-nabbed/

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