Customs and Coast Guard officials inspect seized high-powered firearms while on board the MV Captain UFUK at the port of Mariveles, Bataan city, north of Manila August 21, 2009. At least 20 large crates of high-powered firearms, which were undocumented and not indicated on the manifest, were found on board the vessel. The Panamanian flag carrier originated from Turkey, stopped over at Indonesia and had a course plotted for Batangas city, south of Manila, a coast guard official said.
"The ship just docked at the port of Mariveles without any prior notice, which made port and customs officials suspicious," Reuters news agency quoted coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo as saying.
"These guns are the primary weapon of the Israeli army," Balilo said, adding that "This is dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands." Sources said South African captain and Georgian crew had been detained and would appear at an inquest in the capital.
The regional police officials said the ship's 12 crewmen, mostly Georgians, were arrested and are undergoing questioning. The security forces are investigating whether the ship was transporting firearms to illegal syndicates or militant groups. The officials in Manila said they would take the matter to international maritime. About 160,000 people have been killed in Philippine over decades as result of separatist rebellions and conflicts Israelis are infamous of establishing contacts with illegal syndicates, local warlords or militant groups.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
DTN News: Philippine Seizes Ship Carrying Israeli Guns
DTN News: Philippine Seizes Ship Carrying Israeli Guns
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) MANILA, Philippines - August 22, 2009: Philippines coast guards have reportedly seized a cargo ship and its crew members after the vessel was found to contain crates of Israeli made assault rifles. Customs and coast guard seized a Panama-flagged cargo ship on Thursday near the Mariveles port, northwest of the capital Manila. Customs and Coast Guard officials inspect seized high-powered firearms while on board the MV Captain UFUK at the port of Mariveles, Bataan city, north of Manila August 21, 2009. At least 20 large crates of high-powered firearms, which were undocumented and not indicated on the manifest, were found on board the vessel. The Panamanian flag carrier originated from Turkey, stopped over at Indonesia and had a course plotted for Batangas city, south of Manila, a coast guard official said.
"The ship just docked at the port of Mariveles without any prior notice, which made port and customs officials suspicious," Reuters news agency quoted coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo as saying.
"These guns are the primary weapon of the Israeli army," Balilo said, adding that "This is dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands." Sources said South African captain and Georgian crew had been detained and would appear at an inquest in the capital.
The regional police officials said the ship's 12 crewmen, mostly Georgians, were arrested and are undergoing questioning. The security forces are investigating whether the ship was transporting firearms to illegal syndicates or militant groups. The officials in Manila said they would take the matter to international maritime. About 160,000 people have been killed in Philippine over decades as result of separatist rebellions and conflicts Israelis are infamous of establishing contacts with illegal syndicates, local warlords or militant groups.
Customs and Coast Guard officials inspect seized high-powered firearms while on board the MV Captain UFUK at the port of Mariveles, Bataan city, north of Manila August 21, 2009. At least 20 large crates of high-powered firearms, which were undocumented and not indicated on the manifest, were found on board the vessel. The Panamanian flag carrier originated from Turkey, stopped over at Indonesia and had a course plotted for Batangas city, south of Manila, a coast guard official said.
"The ship just docked at the port of Mariveles without any prior notice, which made port and customs officials suspicious," Reuters news agency quoted coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo as saying.
"These guns are the primary weapon of the Israeli army," Balilo said, adding that "This is dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands." Sources said South African captain and Georgian crew had been detained and would appear at an inquest in the capital.
The regional police officials said the ship's 12 crewmen, mostly Georgians, were arrested and are undergoing questioning. The security forces are investigating whether the ship was transporting firearms to illegal syndicates or militant groups. The officials in Manila said they would take the matter to international maritime. About 160,000 people have been killed in Philippine over decades as result of separatist rebellions and conflicts Israelis are infamous of establishing contacts with illegal syndicates, local warlords or militant groups.
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