SBMA, HPG to establish motor vehicle clearance office in Subic Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) will be working on establishing a Motor Vehicle Clearance Division (MVCD) inside this premier Freeport.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the creation of the MVCD satellite office will safeguard the Freeport from the illegal exit of unregistered vehicles

Aliño signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Lt. Col. Jansky Andrew S. Jaafar, Officer-In-Charge of the PNP-HPG’s MVCD on September 29, 2025 at the SBMA administration building.

According to Jaafar, the MVCD is a unit within the Philippine National Police (PNP) that is responsible for issuing motor vehicle clearances, which are primarily required for the transfer of ownership of used vehicles to ensure they are not stolen or involved in criminal activities.

The MVCD office will process and issue Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificates (MVCC) as required by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for all vehicles to the general public.

The satellite office will also maintain a database called the Vehicle Information Management System (VIMS) that records or lists alarmed or stolen vehicles. The office will notify the SBMA of an alarmed or stolen motor vehicle, especially when it is being registered under a Subic Bay Freeport locator or resident.

Chairman Aliño said that the creation of the MVCD satellite office will offer added protection by safeguarding the freeport from unscrupulous individuals who plan to use the area to register alarmed or stolen vehicles.

“The SBMA is more than willing to work hand-in-hand with other government agencies in ensuring the safety and security within and around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and deter people from conducting illegal activities in the area,” he added. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA signs PNP-SAF extension in Subic Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing the extended occupation of a portion of land within the Subic Bay Freeport to house their barracks and training center.

During the MOA signing held at the SBMA Administration Building on July 10, 2024, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the agreement translates to a better and more heightened safety and security advantage for the Subic Freeport community.

“The SBMA is allowing the 2nd Special Action Battalion of the PNP-SAF to extend its use of the 14,231-square meter of land property that they have been using since 1998 for their training,” he said.

Aliño signed the MOA with PNP-SAF Acting Director Police Brigadier General Mark D. Pespes at the SBMA Corporate Boardroom. He cited that the MOA attests to the SBMA’s thrust to provide a safe and secure economic zone for its stakeholders. 

On behalf of PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, Pespes conveyed his message of gratitude to Aliño for the agency’s continued support to the PNP, which significantly solidifies the unwavering commitment and partnership between the two government agencies.

“By providing us with the necessary resources and facilities, you are playing a crucial role in enhancing our capabilities and ensuring the safety and security of our community. Your support is invaluable, and we are profoundly thankful for your trust and cooperation,” Pespes said.

After the signing, Pespes conducted a command visit to the 85th Special Action Company, Rapid Deployment Battalion at Building 8131, Old Fly Fast Hangar of the Subic Bay International Airport.

The official also visited the training center of the 2nd Special Action Battalion (2SAB) near the Morong Gate of the freeport for an ocular of the facility as part of the PNP's ongoing efforts to ensure operational readiness, boost morale, and address the concerns of the personnel.

As a final reminder, Gen. Pespes reiterated his guidance to the uniformed personnel of the 2nd Special Action Battalion of the PNP-SAF, to continue to excel in their service, and give their best in the discharge of their functions, in honor of the memory of fallen personnel who have sacrificed their lives to serve their countrymen. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA, PNP inaugurates vessel operations training center in Subic Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG) inaugurated the Vessel Operations Training Center inside this premier Freeport on Friday.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the creation of the training center was thru the efforts of the agency and the PNP-MG via a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The newly constructed center is located at Bldg. 696 of the Global Industrial Park.

Paulino said that according to the MOA, the SBMA will provide a facility for the PNP-MG that will help in training police officers in operating seagoing vessels of the agency. He added that the agency will also provide additional amenities and equipment that will help in training police officers operate SBMA ships.

Currently, PNP-MG personnel operate the vessels of the SBMA, including MV Kalayaan, MV Binictican, MV Redondo, MV Ilanin, MV Triboa, MV Cubi, and MV Maritan. Paulino and PNP-MG Director Police Brigadier General Harold B. Tuzon signed the MOA at the administration building on March this year.

Paulino and Tuzon, along with Regional Maritime Unit 3 chief Police Col. Oliver Tanseco and assistant chief Police Lt. Col. Sami B. Lorenzo, led the inauguration of the new facility near the Alava Pier. Reverend Father Orlando Correa led the blessing of the facility.

The facility boasted of a gym, mess hall, offices, rooms, shower areas for men and women, and other areas needed for the training of personnel.

Tuzon expressed his gratitude to Paulino for the unwavering support given to his unit, citing that the SBMA chief has gone above and beyond what was stipulated in the MOA.

According to the MOA, the PNP-MG will conduct security operations for the waters of Subic Bay, while providing trained and licensed personnel to man the seven patrol boats of the agency. These boats include three multi-purpose patrol boats, a search and rescue vessel, a garbage collection/ firefighting vessel, an oil skimmer/ firefighting vessel, and a line handling and utility boat.

“The operation tasking will be under our Seaport Department, and these vessels can only be used with the SBMA’s prescribed authority and within the vessels’ operational requirement,” Paulino said, adding that the PNP Maritime will use, maintain, and occupy the facility for the use it is intended.

“They will shoulder the repair and maintenance of the facility for the entire duration of the agreement,” he said.

PNP MG chief Tuzon said that aside from manning the boats, the group will provide technical, mechanical and physical vessel services for the repair of the patrol boats at their own expense. He added that they will provide operation trip reports.

“In case of emergency or natural disaster or as maybe needed by the SBMA, the PNP-MG shall provide assistance and services upon request of the SBMA,” he added.

“With that said, we will provide security and other support and assistance, which shall promote the development, conservation, management, protection, and utilization of resources in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and its surrounding areas,” he cited. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA, PNP partners to provide security for Subic Bay

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), thru its Maritime Group (MG), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will provide better security for the waters of Subic Bay.

The MOA signing transpired between SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino and PNP-MG Director Police Brigadier General Harold B. Tuzon, and was witnessed by Deputy Chief PNP for Administration Police Lt. General Rhodel Orden Sermonia and SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ronnie Yambao.

According to Chairman Paulino, the PNP-MG will provide trained and licensed personnel to man seven of the agency’s patrol boats comprising of three multi-purpose patrol boats, a search and rescue vessel, a garbage collection/firefighting vessel, an oil skimmer/firefighting vessel, and a line handling and utility boat.

These vessels were identified as MV Kalayaan, MV Binictican, MV Redondo, MV Ilanin, MV Triboa, MV Cubi, and MV Maritan.

“The operation tasking will be under our Seaport Department, and these vessels can only be used with the SBMA’s prescribed authority and within the vessels’ operational requirement,” Paulino said.

The SBMA chief added that the agency will provide an office and quartering facility for the PNP-MG personnel at the portion of Bldg. 696, located at the former Ship Repair Facility (SRF) wherein only a maximum of 30 personnel are allowed.

“The PNP Maritime will use, maintain, and occupy the facility for the use it is intended. They will shoulder the repair and maintenance of the facility for the entire duration of the agreement,” he said.

PNP-MG chief Tuzon said that aside from manning the boats, the group will provide technical, mechanical and physical vessel services for the repair of the patrol boats at their own expense. He added that they will also provide operation trip reports.

“In case of emergency or natural disaster or as maybe needed by the SBMA, the PNP-MG shall provide assistance and services upon request of the SBMA,” he added.

“With that said, we will provide security and other support and assistance, which shall promote the development, conservation, management, protection, and utilization of resources in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and its surrounding areas,” he cited.

Meanwhile, deputy chief Sermonia cited that with the added safety and security from the PNP-MG, the Subic Bay Freeport should expect more businesses to boom as he believes this is one of the key factors that makes the area a viable place to conduct business.

After the MOA signing, the PNP officials conducted a site inspection and evaluation of the vessels. (MPD-SBMA)

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4 cops, 1 civilian held in Subic shabu lab bust

Four members of the police force in Olongapo City were arrested here early this morning along with a civilian suspect in connection with the discovery and dismantling of a clandestine laboratory used in the manufacture of illegal drugs.

A report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police in the National Capitol Region (PNP CIDG-NCR) identified the policemen as PLt Reynato Basa Jr., PCpl Gino dela Cruz, PCpl Edesyr Victor Alipio, and PCpl Godfrey Duclayan Parentela. All were assigned at Station 2 of the Olongapo City Police Office.

The lone civilian arrested in the operation was Jericho Dabu, a resident of Olongapo, who tried to sell one kilo of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu to a poseur-buyer from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The sting operation was carried out at 336-B Finback Street, Kalayaan, Subic Bay Freeport by the PDEA NCR and Region 3 offices, PNP-CIDG Northern Manila, PNP-CIDG Zambales, PNP Maritime Group, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Intelligence and Investigation Office (SBMA-IIO).

The authorities confiscated from the suspects 300 grams of suspected shabu, various laboratory equipment and chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs, four Glock 17 9mm pistols, five cellular phones, a Honda Civic 1996 sedan with plate number UKM 779, and bundles of boodle money used in the sting operation.

According to the SBMA-IIO, the operation started at about 2 pm on Thursday, January 14, when operatives conducted surveillance in the area.

At past midnight, the authorities proceeded with a buy-bust operation which netted Dabu, who was caught receiving marked money in exchange for one kilo of shabu.

The arrest led to the discovery of the clandestine drug laboratory, which SBMA-IIO described as a “kitchen-type operation,” as well as to the arrest of the alleged policemen-protectors inside the house where the laboratory was located.

Unconfirmed reports from the PNP indicated that the syndicate behind the illegal drugs operation was headed by a foreign national, who is now the subject of follow-up operations.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, meanwhile, commended the law enforcement units involved in the operation “for ferreting out this scourge that erodes the very ideals of the Subic Bay Freeport as an investment and economic growth center.”

“The SBMA will always support our law enforcement agencies in ridding our society of elements that degrade our decent and lawful way of life,” Eisma said.

The SBMA chief also called on residents and other stakeholders in the Freeport to be vigilant.

“Let us care for each other in this community. Let us know our neighbors and contribute all we can to keep Subic safe for everybody,” she added. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Operatives make an inventory of evidences seized at the clandestine drug laboratory where four police officers and one civilian were arrested on January 15. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport firm builds PH coastal defense boats

A Filipino-owned boat building company based in this Freeport is now producing high-speed patrol boats to boost the Philippine military’s littoral combat force.

Wilma Eisma, chairperson and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said on Friday that Safehull Marine Technologies, Inc., which occupies a factory and warehouse at Subic’s Global Industrial Park, has delivered 21 high-speed tactical watercraft (HSTW) for deployment by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Mindanao this year.

“These are sleek, good-looking boats that you would mistake for pleasure yachts, but they’re really fast and stable and could be mounted with guns for tactical missions,” Eisma said.

“It makes us proud that these vessels are made in Subic, and that they are a product of a Filipino company,” she said.

The 40-foot long HSTWs were commissioned by the PNP for patrolling the country’s exclusive economic zone, law enforcement and peace and order, as well as for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Each equipped with three Honda outboard motors, the fiberglass-hulled boats can reach a top speed of 45 knots and are intended to operate approximately 200 miles from shore under slight to moderate sea conditions.

Safehull company officials said they were able to make a breakthrough in production after perfecting the vacuum infusion process, which shortened the period of hull construction from three weeks to one day.

Safehull Marine, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manila-based Propmech Corporation, is engaged in the fabrication of ship and its components, ship repair, and engineering services for design and installation of parts and modules.

Thirty percent of the boats built here in Subic are for clients in the defense industry, including the United States military.

The boats are designed, assembled and outfitted in Subic by Safehull and Propmech by means of local naval architects and workers, and in partnership with foreign technology companies like the Damen Group of Netherlands, Saab Group of Sweden, Taiwan’s Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co., and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense System

The Propmech and Safehull joint venture has also built three multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) that were delivered to the Philippine Navy in 2009, 2012 and 2017; a 15-meter landing craft vehicle personnel (LCVP) for the Philippine Navy; as well as 136 units of 50-horsepower rubber boats for the PNP.

This year, it is scheduled to build another unit of MPAC that the Philippine Navy is outfitting with short-range surface-to-surface missile.

Aside from the defense projects, Safehull and Propmech also build 21-meter passenger/cargo boats; multi-purpose patrol boats for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; and aluminum rescue boats for the Philippine Coast Guard. (Malou Dungog, PNA)

PHOTO:

A high-speed tactical watercraft being produced by Safehull Marine Technologies Inc. inside a warehouse at the Subic’s Global Industrial Park. (Malou Dungog, PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064059

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SBMA honors Subic-based SAF Marawi veterans

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) formally honored on Monday the members of the Subic-based Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) contingency team who volunteered for the operations to free Marawi City from the ISIS-led terrorists of the Maute Group.

During the flag ceremony here last Monday, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma led officers and employees of the agency in recognizing the courage and heroism of each of the 42 members of the 2nd Special Action Battalion who are headquartered at the Naval Magazine Facilities in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“None of us is perfect by nature, but you are perfect in showing us what we can do to defend our country and its people,” Eisma told the police contingent under the command of Police Superintendent Mario Mayames Jr.

“You volunteered to fight the terrorists, and you did a great service to our nation,” Eisma added.

During the recognition ceremony where employees cheered the police officers, Eisma announced that aside from a certificate of commendation, the SBMA will give each policeman P10,000 cash as a token of appreciation for upholding peace and order in the Freeport and other parts of the country.

The SAF were part of the joint military and police forces that ended the war in Marawi after five months of fighting.

For his part, Mayames recalled that before deployment to Marawi, the SAF volunteers underwent a two-week refresher course in combat skills, armaments and equipment. Yet their training in mountain, jungle and urban warfare did not prepare them for the Marawi experience, he added.

“The situation in Marawi was very rare. Unlike before where we conducted urban warfare and our enemies were holed in one or three buildings, in Marawi the enemies were in all the buildings and had a 360-degrees firing range. Our firing range was only 180 degrees,” Mayames said.

Still he noted that after the three months in Marawi, the Subic-based 2nd SAF battalion only suffered two wounded among its 42 members.

Mayames also recounted feeling pity for the devastation suffered by the city. “And I can’t help asking myself, was it really heroism that we did in Marawi?” he added.

“We just went there killing the enemies and (in effect) destroyed all of Marawi. Was it really heroism?” an emotional and teary-eyed Mayames asked.

The SBMA employees cheered and said, “Yes.”

The SAF commander also explained later why it was necessary to bomb and destroy the whole Marawi.

“We could not penetrate each building because of snipers who were holed up for cover underground,” he recalled. “The aerial bombings were necessary to put the enemy at bay so that the soldiers and police could launch an assault against them.” (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma expresses the agency’s commendation of the courage and heroism of Subic-based SAF officers who volunteered to serve in the operations to free Marawi City from terrorists. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma presents the agency’s recognition of the courage and heroism of Subic-based SAF officers who volunteered to serve in the operations to free Marawi City from terrorists. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA UPDATE #2: STOLEN RENTED VEHICLES RECOVERED AS A RESULT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN PNP, NBI and SBMA

Through hard work and cooperation of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), six stolen vehicles inside the Subic Bay Freeport were recovered.

The PNP, NBI and the SBMA Law Enforcement Department (LED) are working together to crack the case and will continue to do so until everyone involved had been brought to justice.

Authorities recovered last night (March 8) six commuter vehicles at the Ichiban yard inside the Freeport that were allegedly rented and never returned to its owners since December last year by suspect Roldan Bernardo.

We assure the public that the SBMA will not let up until the perpetrators are dealt with accordingly. The SBMA will not allow the Freeport to become a haven of any form of criminality.

ATTY. WILMA AMY EISMA
SBMA Administrator

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STATEMENT OF THE SBMA ON THE REPORTED THEFT AND RECOVERY OF SIX RENT-A-CAR VEHICLES (UPDATED)

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will not tolerate any form of criminality inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (Freeport). Anyone caught committing any criminal offense within the Freeport will be dealt with the full extent of the law.

The SBMA Law Enforcement Department (LED) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Olongapo City are working together to investigate the reported theft of six rental vehicles recovered tonight (March 8) at the Ichiban yard inside the Freeport.

Authorities have now identified the suspect as a certain Roldan Bernardo who allegedly rented in December 2016 two commuter vehicles and a Grandia van from complainants Roy and Gerry Galang of  Olongapo City, owners of the said vehicles for rent.

Also spotted at the yard by authorities were two more vehicles believed to have also been rented by the suspect- a Toyota Fortuner reportedly owned by a Mr. Zafra and two units of Mitsubishi Montero.

The SBMA shall actively monitor the case and will assist in any way to ensure that proper charges will be filed against the suspect.

Again, we issue this warning: The SBMA will be tough on anyone who will be caught violating law and order inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

ATTY. WILMA AMY EISMA
SBMA Administrator

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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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