Biazon seeks explanation on missing luxury vehicles

MANILA, Philippines - New Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon said yesterday he would ask a former collector of the bureau to explain why and how 172 luxury vehicles had gone missing at the Subic Freeport during her watch.

Biazon said Marietta Zamoranos is reportedly on floating status and reassigned to the Office of the Commissioner.

He did not say if Zamoranos’ reassignment was connected to the issue of the missing vehicles.

“I have yet to talk to her (Zamoranos) and I hope to get the information on the number of vehicles that were supposed to be there, how many were accounted missing and all the paperwork that covered the said vehicles. She would have to explain to me all the circumstances about it,” he said.

“I just found out about that (missing vehicles) late Monday morning and I instructed my staff to gather information... I think when they did an inventory, they could not find the vehicles so that is why there is a report that came out that they were missing so there is ongoing inventory,” he added.

He also said he “would task the appropriate office within the bureau” to look into the possible involvement of other BOC officials and personnel.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim said the vehicles should only be used by locators within Subic and that they should bear diplomatic plates.