The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized a Chinese dredger for “illegal and unauthorized presence” in Philippine waters more than a year after it was cleared to leave the country, the Coast Guard said on Friday. The MV Zhonhai 68 was spotted on Wednesday during a maritime security patrol about 13 kilometers southwest off Orion Point in Bataan province by PCG and BOC personnel aboard BRP Panglao. “Upon boarding, the joint operatives discovered the automatic identification system transponder of said vessel was turned off and its two Cambodian crew members aboard failed to present proper documents,” the PCG said in a statement.

Ramos, M., Refraccion, G., Aglibot, J. R., & Visaya, V. Jr. (2021, January 30). Coast Guard seizes Chinese dredger for illegal entry. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A2.