The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has relieved the deputy commander of its Masbate station following the entry of a P170-million shabu shipment that reached Cebu City’s Pier 5 undetected.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the removal as part of an ongoing investigation to identify those responsible for the incident.
The shabu shipment was seized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Cebu City Pier 5 on January 23, 2025.
Authorities revealed that the suspects, a mother and her son, boarded a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) passenger vessel from Masbate port. They allegedly concealed the contraband in their private vehicle.
The illegal drugs were discovered upon the ship’s arrival in Cebu City, as no proper inspection was conducted before the vehicle’s boarding.
Admiral Gavan stressed the importance of regular inspections as part of the PCG’s mandate to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country’s ports and waters.
He also directed an investigation into the deputy commander’s failure to conduct routine inspections prior to the boarding. The relieved officer claimed to have been attending a courtesy meeting at the time of the incident.
The PCG has yet to release the name of the relieved deputy commander as investigations continue.