Smuggling raps filed vs consignees, brokers over lost imported goods

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has filed before the Department of Justice (DoJ) a smuggling complaint against consignees and brokers involved in the disappearance of about 1,910 container vans while being transshipped from Manila to the Port of Batangas between May and June this year.

Named in the complaint were Loida Jalimao, proprietress/manager of Sea Eagle Trading; Lolita C. Clarin, proprietress/manager of LCN Trading and Cecille San Diego, proprietress/manager of Moncelian Enterprise.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez told a press conference Thursday that the complaint stemmed from the respondents alleged attempts to defraud the government of P240 million in duties and taxes.

Also included as respondents were customs brokers Arceli Arellano, Merlyne G. Reyes and Diosdado Bagon who assisted in the processing and facilitation of the release of the missing cargoes.

Eight other employees of Bagon who owns the D.G. Bagon Customs Services were also included in the complaint – Mathew Ponce, Percival Santos, Antonio Vinaviles, Rogelio Remillo, Ariel Dionisio, Mark Aguinaldo, a certain Kristin and a certain Sherly.

Alvarez said a total of 2,219 containers covered by transshipment permits were processed between January and May this year at both the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the Port of Manila (POM) by three importers-LCN Trading, Sea Eagle Trading and Marcelion Enterprises.

Of the 2,219 transshipped containers, the Batangas District Office acknowledged receipt of only 309.

“There is reason to believe that the transshipped imported goods were diverted by the accused and their cohorts to evade payment of customs duties and taxes, in palpable violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and other related laws,” Alvarez said.