MANILA, May 4 -- A warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) was issued against a Liberian-flagged cargo ship for drifting and loitering in the Bohol Sea since last week while en route to the port of Kinuura, Japan, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Saturday.

According to Commissioner Bien Rubio, although no contraband was found inside the Liberian-flagged M/V Ohshu Maru, the WSD was issued on May 3 along with a Notice of Preliminary Conference Hearing.

"The WSD is issued because the captain did not issue a Notice of Arrival when the vessel started drifting to the Bohol Sea, which as I understand from the field report, started last April 22. Under our rules, the ship's master only has 24 hours after its arrival to file a notice or prote...