Bureau of Customs forms task force on smuggled cars

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has formed Task Force “Oplan Subic Blue Plates” that will concentrate on the recovery and apprehension of 184 motor vehicles.

Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales ordered the Task Force, headed by Post Entry Audit Group attorney Rolando Ligon Jr., to crackdown on all unaccounted Subic blue-plate cars that entered and were sold outside the Freeport.

“These motor vehicles were smuggled into Customs jurisdiction through the misuse of RA No. 7227 – the law that created Subic Special Economic Zone,” Morales said.

Blue-plate vehicles are tax-exempted vehicles (TEVs) that enter the Port of Subic and can only be used around Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

These vehicles can be brought out of SBMA territory for official business but must be returned to the zone after 15 days. – Evelyn Macairan