Solon to Calimlim: Launch raids vs smugglers in P'sinan

Ilocos Sur Rep. Salacnib Baterina dared yesterday presidential anti-smuggling Task Force Aduana chief Maj. Gen. Jose Calimlim to conduct anti-smuggling raids in several towns in his home province of Pangasinan, as the military did in Ilocos Sur last weekend.

In a privilege speech, Baterina said he has evidence showing that smuggling of shabu is rampant in Calimlim's own hometown, "and yet he has not done anything about it."

Baterina also said Ilocos Sur officials led by Gov. Luis Singson were poised to file appropriate charges against Calimlim and his men.

The House of Representatives decided last night to summon Calimlim to shed light on the "martial law-type" raid conducted on the coastal village of Poro Pingit in Magsingal town in Ilocos Sur over the weekend.

Baterina said the sight of hundreds of fully armed soldiers, backed by helicopter gunships, descending on Poro Pingit reminded him of martial law.

"It was an overkill," Baterina noted.

He charged that the troops seized from the villagers

hundreds of motorcycles and appliances which Calimlim claimed were smuggled.

Baterina argued, however, that several of the seized items were legitimately bought by the owners who also paid the corresponding taxes.

The haul reportedly consisted of 201 motorbikes, 100 scooters, 42 mountain bikes, 18 television sets, 33 air-conditioning units and over 400 motorcycles.

The lawmaker also alleged that the raiders did not issue proper receipts for the confiscated motorcycles and appliances.

Bohol Rep. Ernesto Herrera also told The STAR that several Metro Manila businessmen dealing in textile and appliances have complained to him that Calimlim raided their stores.

Herrera said the raiders seized only JVC television sets which the shop owners claimed were legally imported.

"Apparently, the raiders were protecting some sellers or traders of this particular brand of TV sets," Herrera noted.

He said the has referred the complaints to Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim.

Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzales said the raiders might have violated the law against illegal search and seizure because they did not have warrants when they swooped down on Poro Pingit.

Assuming that the soldiers had warrants, Gonzales said the law prohibits raids during holidays and weekends.

Gonzales stressed that the Poro Pingit raid and the spray painting campaign of Lim do not speak well of the Estrada administration's respect for the people's rights.

For his part, Davao Rep. Manuel Garcia asked why Mr. Estrada allows Calimlim to hold several concurrent positions.

Apart from being head of Task Force Aduana, Calimlim is also commander of the Presidential Security Group and chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

On the other hand, Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras said Calimlim's task force is an extraneous agency since its mission properly belongs to the Bureau of Customs.

He urged the President to immediately disband the task force now that he has appointed retired Gen. Ramon Farolan as Customs commissioner.

Meanwhile, government prosecutors filed yesterday smuggling charges against two businessmen and four barangay officials from Poro Pingit before the Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court.

Charged were traders Robert Ladera and Rolando Villasper, barangay chairwoman Lucia Torricer, and barangay councilors Rosario Unabia, Fermin Torricer and Jose Soriano.

Charges were also being prepared against two other suspected smugglers, identified as Crestituto Torricer and PO2 Rhe Pilarca Frio.

The raiders also reportedly confiscated one M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber home-made revolver and several rounds of ammunition from Torricer who tagged Frio as the real owner of the seized items.

Frio, a member of the PNP Mobile Group, allegedly failed to show ownership papers for the articles. - Delon Porcalla, Teddy Molina