Nine personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and three consignees are set to face smuggling and graft charges over the alleged illegal importation of agricultural products at the Port of Subic.
The BOC said six cases have been endorsed to the Department of Finance under Republic Act 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, for review before charges are filed with the Department of Justice.
Draft criminal complaints primarily name three consignees allegedly involved in unlawful importation and misdeclaration of agricultural shipments. Nine BOC personnel are the subject of complaint-affidavits for violations of RA 12022 and Section 3 of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Nineteen other personnel are facing administrative charges for neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the service following a probe into alleged irregularities in cargo processing at the Port of Subic.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the agency would strictly enforce customs laws without exception, stressing that no one will be spared in the campaign against agricultural smuggling.
