Customs chief Alvarez nails warehouse operator, 5 others, for smuggling textiles

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs (BoC)  filed on Thursday a criminal complaint against a  customs bonded warehouse operator for importing some P272 million worth of yarn, fabrics, textiles, and other garment accessories, that were reportedly unloaded in the local market.

Angelito Perez, general manager of Filipino Hand Common Bonded Corporation (FILHAND), was charged with several counts of smuggling.  Also included in the complaint were Francisco Aniag, president of Sports and Swimwear Manufacturing Inc.; Sufronio De Luna, representative of the same company; Rowena Viray, president of Southern Atlantic; Juvy Estrada, representative of Square Gem Manufacturing, and Jery Accad, representative of JDAR Garments Corporation.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said that from 2006 to January 2008, FILHAND imported raw materials supposedly for garments manufacture on behalf of Sports and Swimwear Manufacturing Inc, Southern Atlantic, Square Gem Manufacturing and JDAR Garments.

Alvarez said those importations were declared in 158 warehousing entries which cleared customs, without payment of duties and taxes.

Under the Tariff and Customs Code, any imported material used in the manufacture of articles in bonded manufacturing warehouses are not subject to duties and taxes on condition that the finished products are re-exported to another country. The  materials should not have been used  as well, in the manufacture of the articles, and shall be assessed corresponding duties and taxes.

Alvarez said, in this case, FILHAND failed to show proof that the materials had been re-exported.

Due to their failure to liquidate, Alvarez said the company will be required to pay not only the appropriate duties and taxes, but the value of the entire shipment worth P272 million, which have been assessed of the proper duties.