By Benjamin Cuaresma
TACLOBAN CITY — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has taken a Russian national into custody after investigators found inconsistencies in his documents and raised questions over the circumstances of his entry into the Philippines aboard a sailing yacht that earlier encountered engine trouble off Samar.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the Russian, identified as Alexey Popov, was brought to the NBI office in Tacloban City for further investigation after authorities inspected his travel documents and the yacht INGRID MARMARIS.
The vessel had earlier sought assistance after experiencing engine trouble in waters off Marabut, Samar. It was towed by the PCG on Aug. 29 to waters off Amandayehan in Basey, Samar, where PCG and NBI personnel conducted an inspection.
According to the PCG progress report, search and rescue personnel aboard HSRB-031 began towing operations at about 7:30 a.m. The yacht reached the waters off Amandayehan at around 9:20 a.m.
Four NBI personnel from the agency’s Tacloban office arrived at the PCG motorpool at about 9 a.m. and later joined Coast Guard personnel in boarding the yacht.
The inspection focused on the vessel’s documents, Popov’s identity and travel papers, and other items considered relevant to the investigation.
During the examination, the NBI team found several inconsistencies in the documents presented by Popov and questioned circumstances surrounding his entry into the country, the PCG said.
Investigators also raised concerns over an apparent lack of appropriate documentation and/or authorization from concerned government agencies for his entry into the Philippines.
Popov was subsequently asked to proceed to the NBI office in Tacloban City for further verification and investigation.
At about 11:30 a.m., PCG and NBI personnel, accompanied by Popov, left the yacht for the NBI office. They arrived at approximately 12:05 p.m., where Popov was placed under NBI custody pending further investigation and coordination with other government agencies.
The PCG also took custody of INGRID MARMARIS and said the vessel would remain secured while authorities evaluate the case.
The Coast Guard said it continues to coordinate with the NBI and other concerned government agencies while securing the yacht and preserving the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
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