NBI seizes hot cars in Mandaue car store

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confiscated ten cars from a Mandaue City car store last Wednesday.

The confiscated cars – 10 Honda Fit – in JJRS Carmall Sales, owned by Ricardo Samson in the Cebu North Road are believed to be smuggled.

Judge Teresita Abarquez-Galanida of the Regional Trial Court branch 66 in Mandaue City issued the search warrant on the car dealer for alleged violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

The cars will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs, said Antonio Pagatpat, NBI 7 regional director.

“Under the Executive Order 156, the law prohibits on the importation of used vehicles,” Pagatpat said.

Pagatpat also said that they verified the report with the Honda Philippines, Inc who confirmed that there are Honda Fit model is not available in the Philippine market.

The seized vehicles were worth at least P2.2, Pagatpat added.

Also, the JJRS Carmall Sales had been found to be operating without a Business Permit from Mandaue City.

Raul Aguilos, director of the Land Transportation Office said that they do not have any specific record of Honda Fit owners who went to their office for registration.

“Wala tay specific record kung pila nagparegister kay dili man lang Honda Fit ang surplus vehicles nga ginadili na pagsud sa Pilipinas,” Aguilos said.

(We do not have any specific record since there are surplus vehicles other than Honda Fit cars which are prohibited toi enter the country.

He also added that LTO could also not determine the record of surplus vehicles unless there is a sample of the registration paper like official receipts or plate numbers.

Aguilos said surplus vehicles that entered the country after Dec. 6, 2007 can no longer be registered in their office.

“The public should be warned of vehicles that are sold at cheap and low prices may be contraband items,” he added.

The owner of the car store was not present during the raid.