At least P69 million worth of imported goods slipped out of the Bureau of Customs despite an “alert order” issued on the shipments, according to Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.
The 105 shipments from China, containing ceramic tiles, diapers, and canned goods, were placed under alert order issued by the BOC chief, but it managed to get released at POM.
The imported shipment was released without proper clearance when these were supposed to be examined yet, Lapeña said.
The BoC chief ordered the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service to conduct a probe on the incident.
“The containers were released without going through proper channels, and securing authorization and clearance to lift alert orders,” he said.
The commissioner said the Asian Terminals Inc. personnel involved in the release of alerted shipments will be investigated for possible “collusion” with importers and some Customs employees.
Lapeña said he will recommend to the Philippine Ports Authority the suspension or revocation of the ASI’s license as a terminal operator.
The consignees of the shipments were identified as Abundancegain Indent Trading Corp; Abundanceprime Chemicals Trading Corp; Cymar International Incorporated; Herco Trading Inc; and Imperial Foods and Agricultural Products; Megaabudancesteel Indent Trading Corp; Paragon Platinum International; Yanyan International Philippines Inc.; Premiere Oak Lumber and Wood Products; and Spectrum Highlands Marketing Corp.
The BoC chief revoked the accreditation of importers and brokers of the alerted shipments and appropriate charges will be filed against them.
The brokers were identified as Bernadine Miranda, Mohamad Salman and Homaidi Sario Ibrahim.
Lapeña said he relieved POM Formal Entry Division acting chief Meliton Pascual and his assistant Evelyn Estur and other involved Customs employees.
