BOC, LTO told: Submit documents on 'hot' cars

Manila, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has asked the regional offices of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region 10 to submit all documents pertaining to the alleged “hot” cars seized by authorities in the houses of a businessman accused of smuggling.

Lynard Allan Bigcas, a businessman engaged in the sale of big bikes and high-end vehicles, was also charged by the NBI with illegal possession of firearms and assorted ammunition before the city prosecutor’s offices in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.

At least 29 big bikes, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and luxury vehicles were seized by joint NBI and police operatives upon a request made by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Bigcas denied all the accusations during a press conference held in the province last Friday, claiming that the luxury vehicles were not smuggled but were legally purchased from the United States.

He surfaced after almost a week in hiding, in the wake of allegations that he was a gunrunner engaged in smuggling luxury cars.

Bigcas said he bought the vehicles from his company, the Allan Bigcas Moving Co., in the US.

In an interview with The STAR, however, lawyer Jose Justo Yap, NBI Northern Mindanao regional director, doubted that all the vehicles Bigcas brought from the US were properly documented and that taxes and duties were paid.

Yap said Bigcas filed a case against the NBI for “replevin and damages” where he asked the court to order a return of the vehicles seized by the bureau and the police, and the bureau welcomes it.

“The investigation of the alleged smuggling is still ongoing. No charges have been filed yet. We are still collating the documents (on the alleged smuggling),” he said.

The charges against Bigcas for illegal possession of firearms and assorted ammunition were filed last Wednesday. The court has not yet issued a warrant of arrest.

“We issued a subpoena for him to appear before the NBI in Cagayan de Oro on Thursday. We do not know if he will appear. He was asked to present importation documents on the vehicles and the bikes,” said Yap.

NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula said the bureau will answer the charges filed by Bigcas.

“It is his right to file a case. We can confront him personally. This is better since it will be a legal battle. There was a search warrant. It was a legal action,” Gatdula said.

Yap said they are investigating if Bigcas could have shipped the vehicles via Cagayan de Oro.

“We have also requested the Bureau of Customs in Region 10 to provide us with the importation documents, bill of lading, import entry declaration, certificate of taxes and duties of the vehicles and big bikes. We are waiting for the reply,” he said.

“But the fact is the US government in Houston declared some of the items and vehicles as stolen, so his documents are a matter of defense for the trial if he will be indicted there. That’s his defense. The US has an ongoing probe. He will be charged there in the US, definitely,” said Yap.

AFP joins Bigcas case

Meanwhile, the military and police are now looking into reports that some 400 units of Israeli-made Tavor assault rifles are now in the hands of various groups and influential individuals in Mindanao as a result of Bigcas’ alleged smuggling activities.

A military insider said combined police and military efforts are being done to unmask the real “cargo forwarding business” of Bigcas following reports that he is also engaged in illegal arms importation.

The same source said that aside from Tavor assault rifles, Bigcas has reportedly sneaked in five units of the powerful Barrett sniper rifle.

Only a select group of special military and police units are in possession of Tavor assault rifles, while only several pieces of cal. 50 Barrett semi-automatic sniper rifles are in the inventory of the AFP and the PNP.

“We are now looking at reports that these high-powered weapons have been sold to various groups in Mindanao, including several influential individuals,” the source said.

He added that they are also interested in determining how these illegal gun shipments, if proven true, found their way to Mindanao.

The military became interested in the Bigcas case in line with its efforts to address the proliferation of illegal firearms in several conflict areas in Southern Philippines.

Commodore Jose Miguel Rodriguez, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman, recently announced that the military would be closely coordinating its efforts with the PNP on the reported illegal weapons trade in Mindanao because it merits military action due to national security implications.

NBI agents, acting on reports from the FBI and the US Homeland Security, raided Bigcas’ house in Talakag, Bukidnon early this month and seized luxury vehicles reportedly stolen from the US and imported 12-gauge shotgun and assorted bullets for M-16 rifles and caliber .45 and .9-mm pistols.

The raid was prompted by the complaint of Hollywood screenwriter Skip Woods, who said his big bike was stolen in Houston, Texas last year.

NBI agents also raided Bigcas’ house in Cagayan de Oro City and also seized several high-powered firearms. - Jaime Laude