P70 million ‘smuggled goods’ seized in Parañaque warehouse

BOC generates over P1billion from disposition of overstaying containers

On Jan 25, 2021

Caption-- MICP-CIIS chief, Alvin Enciso, inspects some the suspected smuggled goods from China worth P70 million they found inside a warehouse in Paranaque City last January 18, 2021, during an anti-smuggling operation they conducted together with the Philippine Coast Guard and the National Bureau of Investigation (photo: Dexter Gatoc, BOC-PIAD).

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it is conducting an “in-depth investigation” after its agents found suspected smuggled goods inside a private warehouse in Parañaque City, worth some P70 million.

The anti-smuggling operation launched by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS, Customs Police) last January 18, 2021, was on the basis of an “LOA” (letter of authority) signed by Comm. Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

The group was assisted by elements from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and resulted to the discovery and seizure of assorted China-made goods such “as cigarettes, medicines, surgical masks, foodstuffs, footwear, garments and other imported goods,” the BOC statement said.

“Further investigation and inventory are underway for further case build up and filing of charges,” the statement added.

Atty. Edward James Dybuco, Deputy Commissioner for Assessment and Operations Group (AOCG).

Meanwhile, Atty. Edward James Dybuco, deputy commissioner for assessment and operations (AOCG), announced that his office’s continued campaign to clean the customs yards from all ‘overstaying’ containers resulted to the generation of P1.076 billion in additional revenue for the government last year.

In his report to Comm. Rey Leonardo Gurrero, Dybuco said that thru the ‘Auction and Cargo Disposal Division’ (ACDD) of the bureau’s 17 collection districts, a total of 3,514 containers have been disposed from January to December, last year.

“The disposition of overstaying containers resulted to revenue generation of P1,076,588,805.44 from the public auction of 1,898 containers of assorted items such as televisions, tiles and plywood, among others,” Dybuco said.

He added that the contents of 1,346 containers have been condemned while those from 270 containers have been donated to other government agencies last year.

The significant reduction in the number of overstaying containers not only decongested a lot of customs yards but also, assisted in the ease of doing business thrust of the BOC, the official added.

‘Overstaying containers’ are those either seized by the BOC or considered ‘abandoned’ by their importers, under customs rules.

Under CMO 10-2020, overstaying cargoes for more than 30 days from the date of discharge which have not been withdrawn within the specified period of time shall be tagged abandoned, and upon finality of the decree of abandonment, the BOC shall then make the proper determination as to its disposition.

Under Section 1141 of the ‘Customs Modernization and Tariff Act,’ goods subject to disposition may be donated, declared for official use by the bureau, or sold at public auction; goods suitable for shelter, or consisting of foodstuffs, clothing materials, or medicines may be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.