DIPOLOG CITY — September 25, 2026 — Three wing van trucks were held at the Dipolog City Port late Thursday night after authorities raised questions over the declared cargo of the vehicles, which the drivers identified as empty bottles but appeared unusually heavy.
The trucks were stopped at around 11:00 p.m. on September 24, 2026, while waiting to board a vessel bound for Oslob, Cebu, as part of a heightened monitoring operation at Zamboanga del Norte’s exit points.
According to authorities, the three trucks had reportedly originated from Molave, Zamboanga del Sur. The drivers declared that their cargo consisted of empty bottles. However, authorities became suspicious after observing the apparent weight of the shipments, prompting them to seal and hold the vehicles pending a proper inspection and verification.
The operation involved personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Dipolog, led by PO2 Mark S. Tumpag; the Office of the Provincial Environment and Management Officer (OPEMO) through Engr. Alfonso S. Gorre; the Maritime Group, headed by PCAPT Allan S. Pestañas; the 7th Zamboanga del Norte Community Area National Army (ZNCAA-II) Company, Delta Company, 97th Infantry Battalion, represented by CPL Eljhon P. Bugay (Inf) PA; and the Dipolog City Port Management Office, under Port Manager Alejandro June O. Carasig.
Authorities said the heightened monitoring of cargo passing through the province’s exit points was ordered following recent concerns involving the alleged movement of mineral ore through maritime routes.
Drivers Say They Were Only Contracted for the Hauling Job
Initial information gathered from the drivers indicated that they were merely contracted to provide trucking services and claimed they had no direct ownership of the cargo.
Two of the three wing vans reportedly belong to the same trucking service, while the third is owned by a separate trucking company. The drivers, all reportedly residents of Estancia, Iloilo, said each truck was contracted for ₱75,000 for the trip from Molave to Cebu.
The drivers also reportedly identified a person referred to only as “Mayor” as the alleged owner of the cargo. Authorities are awaiting the person’s arrival in Dipolog to witness the lawful opening of the sealed trucks and the subsequent inspection and inventory of their contents.
At this stage, authorities have not yet established that the cargo consists of mineral ore. The possibility remains under investigation, and the declared cargo of empty bottles has likewise yet to be independently verified through an official inspection.
MGB Evaluation May Determine Nature and Legality of Cargo
Authorities are preparing for the formal opening and examination of the three trucks, with personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) expected to participate should the cargo require mineral identification and regulatory evaluation.
The inspection is expected to determine the actual contents of the trucks, their quantity and nature, their declared source, and whether the shipment is covered by the necessary permits and supporting documents.
The MGB has established regulatory procedures for the transportation of minerals and mineral products. Under existing mining regulations, the transport of minerals and mineral products is generally required to be covered by an Ore Transport Permit (OTP) issued by the appropriate MGB Regional Office. MGB procedures also require supporting documentation concerning the mining permit or contract, source of the minerals, and, where applicable, sales or marketing agreements and proof of payment of excise taxes.
Thus, if the inspection confirms that the trucks contain mineral ore rather than empty bottles, authorities will have to determine whether the shipment came from an authorized source and whether the cargo was being transported with the required permits and documentation.
The MGB has also emphasized that validation of mineral stockpiles and the verification of their source form part of the regulatory process for mineral transportation.
Trucks Remain Held Pending Official Inspection
For now, the three wing vans remain subject to the appropriate inspection, inventory and investigation procedures.
Authorities said the results of the examination will form part of the basis for the adjudication process and for determining the proper disposition of the cargo. If the shipment is confirmed to contain minerals, the cargo may be referred or turned over to the MGB for technical evaluation and appropriate regulatory action.
The incident underscores the importance of verifying cargo declarations at major transport gateways, particularly where authorities have reason to question the nature or weight of shipments.
No final determination has yet been made regarding the contents of the three trucks. The authorities are expected to release the official findings after the sealed vehicles are lawfully opened and their cargo examined.