BOC seeks NBI's help to track down missing container vans

MANILA, Philippines - Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez yesterday said their agency would be coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in solving the case of the 1,910 containers that reportedly went missing while they were en route to the Port of Batangas rom the Port of Manila.

In a statement, Alvarez said he sought the help of the NBI to track down the whereabouts of the missing 1,910 container vans that disappeared as they were being transshipped to Batangas.

Alvarez said NBI director Magtanggol Gatdula suggested an operational plan on how they would be able to identify, locate and apprehend those behind the scheme to divert the containers and illegally remove their contents.

“This is blatant and the smugglers, I’m sure with the help of some Customs bureau people, have shown utter scorn of our laws. This stops right now, and with NBI’s help, all those involved should go to jail. This is the tipping point of our campaign against smuggling,” Alvarez said.

The 1,910 container vans were reportedly filled with plastic resins, textiles, foodstuff, personal effects, and household products that came from China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.

The container vans have reportedly been returned to the respective owners, but without the contents.

The BOC earlier said a total of 2,219 containers covered by transshipment permits were processed between January and May this year at both the Manila International Container Port and the Port of Manila.

However, of the 2,219 transshipped containers, the Batangas District Office acknowledged receipt of only 309 containers.

The case of the missing container vans was used by Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay as basis to call for Alvarez’s resignation.

She also criticized the BOC’s failure to collect over P3 billion in taxes due to the missing container vans.

But Alvarez defended himself, saying that calls for his removal were uncalled for since he was the one who exposed the missing container vans.