5 customs officials in General Santos City sub-port relieved

The Bureau of Customs (BOC). FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Five officials of the Bureau of Customs who are assigned to port of General Santos City had been ordered relieved for facilitating and allowing the release of four cars brought in by a local firm from the United Arab Emirates.

Ernesto Aradanas, Davao Port collector, said Gensan sub-port collector Aniceto Sanchez Jr.; acting principal appraisers Quinciano Pavadora Jr. and Jamalodin Macadindang; customs examiner Moctar Amer; and cargo control officer Ansari Saransaman Pundug, were also being investigated for other possible violations of laws.

“The investigation seeks to rid the sub-port of unscrupulous employees,” Aradanas said, without saying when they were exactly relieved of their duties.

He said all five BOC officials were now “unassigned” and were reporting to the administrative office of the BOC here.

Aradanas said the officials caused the release and transport of four brand-new Toyota Prado vehicles from the port of Gensan to Manila without any authority last month.

The cars, along with seven other vehicles, were still being assessed to determine if the importer, identified as Ayumi Rose Marketing, had followed import rules and regulations.

As soon as he learned about the release without proper procedure, Aradanas said, he coordinated with the BOC in Manila, whose personnel intercepted the four vehicles at the North Harbor on Feb. 24.

He said the four seized cars would soon be returned to Gensan.

Aradanas said he had also issued a watch out order for seven more luxury vehicles impounded at the port of General Santos to ensure these would not be smuggled out while the authorities were determining if the proper duties had been paid.