2GO clarifies release of cargo despite “hold order”

A cargo forwarding company yesterday explained why it released last July 9 two container vans to its consignee despite the faxed request of the regional offices of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Coconut Authority to have these withheld on suspicion that these contained coconut lumber.

The two container vans, with numbers INBU 377522 and INBU 3801078-7, was released from the Aboitiz -2GO Cargo container yard at the north reclamation area, more than two hours after the company received the letter requests, via fax, from PCA-7 and NBI-7.

The two vans were among the 10 vans, transported by M/V Our Lady of Lourdes from Ozamiz City, that the two agencies had wanted to hold based on an informant’s tip that these had a contraband cargo of coconut lumber.

Officials of 2GO Cargo however said that the requests of the agencies had no legal standpoint. Judd Sala, corporate communications official of Aboitiz Transport Services, said the requests were not legal hold orders.  “The requests were only faxed, and things like these can’t just be faxed, because they may come from just anybody,” said Sala.

Jess Supan, vice president of ATS safety and security, added: “Unless (we are) provided with an officially-issued hold order (of a cargo), we are compelled to honor our service agreements, and release the shipment to our customers.” —Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE