SUSPICIONS that a private yacht could have been used to transport the 1.4 tons of shabu worth P9.68 billion in Alitagtag, Batangas has prompted calls for a much better partnership between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in guarding coastlines which are ideal spots for drug smuggling.

The yacht was last seen docked at the Maya-Maya Yacht Club in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Police forensic examiners have been assigned to sift for possible traces of shabu aboard the vessel.

An investigation is now underway to identify the persons who were on board the yacht as well as the persons whom they have contact with prior to the Alitagtag operation.

In the past, yachts have been used by international drug syndicates in high-seas smuggling in which huge volumes of drugs being carried by mother ships are transferred to much smaller vessels in the high seas to avoid detection by authorities.

This has prompted Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. to call for full cooperation between the PNP headed by General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil and the PCG led by Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan in combating the entry of illegal drugs in the country.

The Police Regional Office 4-A, headed by Brigadier Gen. Paul Kenneth T. Lucas, has aired suspicions the huge volume of shabu were about to be distributed in Metro Manila and nearby areas had they not been intercepted by the Alitagtag police in Batangas.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the PCG earlier signed a memorandum of agreement to effectively address the flow of illegal drugs into the country’s vast expanse of coastlines.

Under the agreement, PDEA and the PCG have declared their cooperation relative to the interdiction of illegal drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) smuggled, transported and transshipped into the Philippine territory.

In addition, PDEA shall establish a comprehensive information collection plan to obtain information on illegal drug activities from sources at all levels, and shall take the lead role in narcotics investigation and the conduct of anti-drug operations.

On the other hand, the PCG shall assist the PDEA in gathering, collecting, processing and analyzing information to prevent the entry of illegal drugs through the coastlines.

The MOA also paved the way to deputize PDEA personnel to join the PCG in enforcement inspections of merchant ships and vessels within the ambit of its lawful authority.

The Philippines has one of the longest coastlines in the world, stretching 36,289 kilometers.

The drugs intercepted in Batangas were found inside a van being driven by 47-year old Alajon Michael Zarate.

The suspect has been charged for transport and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

A separate lesser complaint for violation of Section 31 of RA 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code Rules was also filed against the accused before the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Gen. Marbil has reaffirmed the PNP’s commitment to achieve a 100 percent drug-free communities in the country following the major drug haul.