6 traders slapped with smuggling raps for illegal importation of rice

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Thursday filed smuggling case before the Department of Justice against several traders for the unlawful importation of rice and chemicals worth P18-million.

Slapped with a smuggling complaint are Noriel C. Angob, owner-proprietor of DXS Marketing together with his attorney-in-fact and broker John M. Edillor and Elvie R. Flores, Rolando Delos Reyes, Sabjulna Ergo Ofilan and Veronical Joy Reyes.

Records showed that Angob, Edillor and Flores allegedly brought into the country 13×20 footer container vans containing Phtalic anhydride without the necessary import permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Delos Reyes, owner-proprietor of Afidee and his broker Ofinal, were slapped with a complaint for the unlawful importation of 4×40 container vans and 1×20 declared as “assorted kitchen wares” and
“assorted tools” but found to contain premium white rice.

Reyes, on the other hand, owner-proprietor of Seph Gabrielle Enterprises, misdeclared a 4×40 container vans which when inspected contained rice.

“These attempts to bring into the country illegally imported rice are not intended to fill in a demand or shortage but simply to exploit the high demand for the crop, to the detriment, of course, of our local
farmers,” BoC Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said.