The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mentioned that its agents had detained 18 crew members for a suspected fuel theft during the weekend.

In a patrol that happened to take place on Saturday close to the Navotas Fish Port, a PCG team reportedly caught five members who belonged to the cargo vessel named M/V Mirola to be stealing diesel from the ship.

The crews of three vessels, Palawan Pirates 2023, Palawan Pirates 2022, and Palawan Patrick, divided the fuel among respective crews comprising thirteen.

Nearly 20,000–30,000 litres of diesel were reportedly transferred by the M/V MIROLA 1 to three boats when the PCG found out about the act, the Coast Guard stated in its statement.

Authorities also found out that the three vessels had zero documents.

It was also learned that these vessels had been part of an alleged fuel pilferage in Manila, Bataan, and Batangas.