BOC exec clarifies report on smuggled cars

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY , Philippines   – A district collector of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Saturday clarified that the 34 luxury cars earlier reported smuggled in Mindanao were not discharged in this city’s port of entry.

Lawyer Ruby Alameda of BOC-Northern Mindanao said the cars were transshipped from the Mindanao International Container Port (MICT) in Misamis Oriental to the port of Ozamis City.

Alameda was reacting to a report titled “34 smuggled cars now in Metro” that appeared on the front page of The STAR last Friday.

Citing BOC sources, the report said the vehicles, which include Toyota Land Cruisers and Prados, a Mercedes-Benz, a BMW and a Range Rover sports car, have allegedly been brought to Metro Manila.

The report also said the BOC had taken steps to make sure the cars won’t be sold to anyone.

Alameda said the consignee paid the cars’ duties and taxes at the Ozamis port based on the findings of the collector and examiner there.

However, the local BOC office issued only a tentative liquidation, as the assessment was not yet final, she said.

Alameda had written the Land Transportation central office in Metro Manila requesting to inform all LTO branches nationwide not to register the cars, as the consignee has yet to settle the P5 million in outstanding obligation.

She has been informed by the LTO that her letter was sent to all LTO offices.

 Alameda said the consignee has one more shipment waiting to be released at the MICT pending payment of the deficiency.

As to the report that the cars have been brought to Metro Manila, Alameda admitted there might have been a “procedural lapse.”

She declined to comment further pending results of the ongoing investigation into the reported smuggling.