Metrobriefs
Customs agents seize P67.4-M smuggled items
MANILA, Philippines – Customs authorities inspected on Friday 14 40-foot containers loaded with smuggled items, including onions and used clothing worth P67.4 million.
Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the items were seized by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service operatives at the Manila International Container Port for violation of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines and Republic Act 4653 which prohibits the importation of used clothing.
The container vans were consigned to four Manila-based companies, namely Farold International Marketing, Great Circle Trading, Double E Trading and Nolman Commercial. Except for Double E Trading’s shipment of motorcycle helmets from China worth P4 million which were held for not having import commodity clearance stickers, the rest of the other shipments were all misdeclared.
Biazon said Farold’s seven containers of used clothing and shoes from Hong Kong worth P52.5 million were listed as as machinery spare parts and tools. The one container consigned to Great Circle Trading contained used clothing from Hong Kong worth P7.5 million that had been misdeclared as toys. On the other hand, Nolman Commercial’s two containers of onions from China worth P3.4 million were misdeclared as housewares.
“I have ordered all Bureau of Customs operatives to be doubly watchful of the cargo entering the country at this time because of the onset of the Christmas season. Just like our no-importation policy on used clothing, we are also closely monitoring the shipments of agricultural products as the smuggling of both commodities is hurting our local farmers and the country’s garment industry,” Biazon said. Tina G. Santos
Man killed while gambling in the streets in Malabon City
A man was shot dead while gambling in the streets of Malabon on Thursday.
The Malabon police identified the victim as Roland Herbert Notra, 29, a resident of Hasa-Hasa Alley, Barangay Longos, Malabon City. According to police reports, the incident happened at 4 a.m. on Thursday on Labahita Alley in Longos.
Investigation showed that Notra was playing cara y cruz with other men in the street when he was shot in the back of the head, leaving him dead on the spot. The gunman who has yet to be identified fled immediately as the other men sought for help.
Investigators found a deformed slug and a .45-cal. shell. The police said they were investigating the motive for the shooting. Nathaniel R. Melican
