The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed smuggling charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against importers, brokers and a port operator in connection with the illegal release of 105 containers that slipped through the Port of Manila.
In a statement on Saturday, the BOC said it had filed the charges against Asian Terminal Incorporated (ATI) assistant vice-president for South Harbor Operations Steve Realuyo and shift manager Darwin Dalmacio.
Charges were also filed against the owners, officials and Customs brokers of Premiere Oak Lumber & Wood Products Corporation, Spectrum Highlands Marketing Corporation, Megaabundancesteel Indent Trading Corporation, Abundancegain Indent Trading Corporation, Paragon Platinum International Trading Corporation and Imperial Foods and Agricultural Prod.
The BOC had accused ATI as well as the officials of these six companies of “conniving” to bring the 105 containers out of the Port of Manila despite a standing alert order.
Isidro Lapeña, head of the BOC, said that the 105 containers were released by the ATI when the order was not yet lifted.
All alerted shipments must be subjected to a complete examination before its release, Lapena stressed.
“In the case of the 105 containers, the examinations were not conducted as the officers of the six corporations, with the assistance of their customs brokers and ATI all connived to secure the release of the containers from the ATI premises without the necessary examination,” the BOC chief said.
Lapena said the release of the containers was “a blatant violation of Sections 1401 (Unlawful Importation or Exportation) and Section 1424 (Removing Goods from Customs Custody) of the Republic Act No. 10863 otherwise known as Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016.”
The total dutiable value of all the shipments amounts to P69,675,171, he said.
“We will make sure that importers, brokers and arrastre operators who blatantly violated Customs rules and regulations will face legal action and revocation of Customs accreditation. The BOC shall remain vigilant and will continue to carry-on the fight against those who disrespect and disregard the rule of law,” Lapeña said.
“We will also make sure that after our thorough investigation, those BOC personnel who are proven to be connected to this incident will be charged accordingly. Despite this case filing, our investigation will continue. We are probing deeper. Everyone who is responsible for this shameful act must pay,” the BOC chief said. /muf
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