The Bureau of Customs (BOC). FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs said Tuesday it was investigating 18 of its employees for alleged involvement in rice smuggling.
According to customs deputy commissioner for intelligence Jessie Dellosa, the 18 employees, mostly appraisers and examiners assigned to the Port of Manila and Manila International Container Port, were believed to have been involved in the processing of rice shipments without import permit in 2013. They were not identified by name.
“We’re still conducting the probe. We still have to find out if they are guilty; they have the right to explain themselves,” Dellosa said in an interview on the sidelines of the BOC inspection of P800 million worth of smuggled goods in Parañaque on Tuesday.
Asked if the investigation of the employees had anything to do with Davidson Bangayan, suspected to be a rice smuggler also identified as David Tan, Dellosa said the probe involved the processing of rice shipments without import permits.
Dellosa said the BOC was also looking into rice smuggling in an investigation parallel to what the National Bureau of Investigation was doing and that it included Bangayan.
“We are still validating reports especially with regards to personalities involved. We are not focusing on Davidson Bangayan alone. We are also looking into other personalities who may be behind this,” Dellosa said.
Meanwhile, the BOC seized at least P800 million worth of counterfeit goods in two warehouses allegedly owned by the family of Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
Dellosa said the counterfeit goods were discovered in two warehouses inside the Olivarez Compound in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City.
The items include imitation “Havianas” flip-flops and “Converse” and “Skechers” rubber shoes, bags and luggage.
Dellosa said the consignees of the fake goods will face charges for violating the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, and Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.