Customs seizes P1.5-M TV sets

The television sets seized by customs officials. Erwin Aguilon/Radyo Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs seized seven units of top of the line television sets worth P1.5 million from two high-end malls in Pasig and Mandaluyong City.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the television sets were confiscated from Listening in Styles stores at Shangri-La Plaza Mall and in Eastwood, Pasig after the stores failed to produce proof of payment of duties and taxes.

Sharp Philippines director Silverio F. Montalbo in December asked the BoC to investigate the stores for possible illegal importation of high-end TV sets.

The items seized from the two stores include one unit of 90-inch HDTV, the world’s largest LED Sharp Television set worth P600, 000, two units of 80-inch LED Sharp TV worth P300, 000 each and four units of 60-inch LED Sharp television set worth P85,000.

The BoC said that the counsel for Listening in Style submitted, in an offer of settlement,  claimed that the TV sets were sold to the home entertainment store by an oversees Filipino worker.