The Bureau of Customs has filed smuggling charges against port operator Asian Terminals Inc., several importers and brokers for the illegal release of 105 container vans valued at P69 million before the Department of Justice.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said port operator of South Harbor connived for the illegal release of 105 containers despite the standing alert order.
The bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (Batas) filed the case against ATI’s assistant vice president for South Harbor Operations Steve Realuyo and shift manager Darwin Dalmacio.
The same charges were filed against the owners, officials and customs brokers of Premiere Oak Lumber & Wood Products Corp., Spectrum Highlands Marketing Corp., Megaabundancesteel Indent Trading Corp., Abundancegain Indent Trading Corp., Paragon Platinum International Trading Corp. and Imperialfoods and Agricultural Prod.
“The cases were filed in compliance with the directive of Lapeña to go after those involved in the incident by filing the appropriate charges against them,” Batas director for legal service and executive head Balmyrson Valdez said.
“As part of the protocol of the BoC, all alerted shipment must be subjected to 100 percent examination before its release,” Lapeña said.
“In the case of the 105 containers, the examinations were not conducted as the officers of the six corporations, with the assistance of their customs brokers and ATI all connived to secure the release of the containers from the ATI premises without the necessary examination,” the customs chief said.
The 105 containers were released by ATI without the required lifting order authorized by the Customs commissioner, Batas said.
“The illegal withdrawal of the subject containers is a blatant violation of Sections 1401 (Unlawful Importation or Exportation) and Section 1424 (Removing Goods from Customs Custody) of the Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016,” he said. Vito Barcelo
“We will make sure that importers, brokers and arrastre operators who blatantly violated Customs rules and regulations will face legal action and revocation of Customs accreditation. The BoC shall remain vigilant and will continue to carry on the fight against those who disrespect and disregard the rule of law,” he added.