BIR seeks probe of Quezon shooting victim over gold trading

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is keen on looking into the income taxes paid by the group of one of the 13 people killed in the shooting incident in Atimonan, Quezon.

Victor Siman was allegedly involved in the selling of gold.

BIR chief Kim Henares, in a press conference on Thursday, said they took interest after Ronnie Habitan, Siman’s alleged partner in small scale mining operation admitted that they were engaged in the business.

However, Henares said they could not investigate the alleged earnings of those killed in the shooting incident that reportedly came from “jueteng” or the illegal numbers game.

“Ayaw naman namin makigulo sa ongoing investigation,” Henares told reporters, adding that such information is still hearsay.

The BIR filed several cases of tax evasion with the DoJ against gold traders for failure to declare their correct income.