Davao City — The Philippine Navy successfully intercepted a Jungkong-type watercraft loaded with over ₱43.5 million worth of smuggled foreign-brand cigarettes off the coast of Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, on November 5, 2025.
Acting swiftly on a tip from a concerned citizen, the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) deployed a SEAL Team from Naval Special Warfare Unit 7 (NSWU7) and a patrol asset, BA491, from the 3rd Boat Attack Division to verify the report of illegal maritime activity in the area.
Upon arrival, naval units sighted M/L Fatima Shakira transiting nearby waters. The SEAL Team immediately executed a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operation after the vessel failed to respond to radio hails. Inspection revealed that the vessel, owned by Alsamer M. Jafaar of Lantawan, Basilan, and crewed by 12 Filipinos led by Master Nurhan Sabtula, was carrying 1,107 boxes of foreign-brand cigarettes without proper documentation.
The contraband, valued at ₱43.5 million, violated the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016 (RA 10863) and Executive Order No. 245, which regulates the importation of tobacco products. The ship’s master later admitted the cargo originated from North Sulawesi, Indonesia, and was bound for Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Following protocol, the SEAL Team placed a prize crew aboard the seized vessel and escorted it to Naval Station Felix Apolinario (NSFA) in Panacan, Davao City, for further inspection. Personnel from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-XI) examined the cargo, with drug-sniffing dogs deployed to ensure no illegal drugs were concealed within the shipment.
After thorough inspection and documentation, both the vessel and its illicit cargo were formally turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition and investigation.
The Navy emphasized that the successful interdiction highlights NFEM’s firm commitment to combat smuggling, enforce maritime laws, and safeguard the nation’s maritime borders from transnational crimes.
“Addressing challenges, promoting regional stability, and strengthening maritime security remain central to the Philippine Navy’s mission,” NFEM said in a statement.