SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Coordinated efforts by government agencies here have led to the seizure of misdeclared items worth a total of ₱190-million.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), together with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday inspected 60 containers.
According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the BOC Port of Subic thru the information from the DA, discovered 58 containers loaded with 30,000 sacks of misdeclared refined sugar worth ₱150-million.
District Collector Maritess Martin issued Pre-Lodgement Control Orders and Alert Orders on the said shipment. Martin, Paulino, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, and DA Assistant Secretary James Layug conducted an examination of the shipment on Thursday.
Martin said that the agency is set to issue a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) against the subject containers for violation of Section 1400, in relation to Section 1113 (f) of the Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Sugar Regulatory Authority and BOC Joint Memorandum Order No. 04-2002.
“Aside from the 58 containers, we also examined two containers of squid rings inside several misdeclared assorted frozen meat products that costs around ₱40 million. We will also issue a WSD against the two containers with misdeclared frozen meat for violation of pertinent provisions of the CMTA,” she said.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio lauded the vigilance of the pertinent agencies, citing, “the BOC continues to maximize its intelligence resources and intensify enforcement measures to thwart all attempts of smuggling, especially those involving agricultural products that negatively impact our local farmers and businesses.”
“It has always been a priority of the BOC to protect local consumers against the health hazards posed by these illegally imported goods,” he added.
SBMA Chairman Paulino lauded the personnel of the agency, together with the BOC and the DA for foiling the attempt to smuggle ₱150-million worth of misdeclared sugar, along with the P40-million worth of misdeclared frozen products.
“We will follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s thrust in ensuring that Subic Freeport will not be an entry point for smuggled items. The SBMA, BOC Port of Subic, and the DA are working hand-in-hand to thwart any illegal trade happening in Subic Freeport,” he said. (MALOU DUNGOG)
