Bureau of Customs orders 2 million liters of 'smuggled' fuel forfeited

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs-Port of Manila (BOC-POM) yesterday ordered that more than two million liters of fuel allegedly smuggled by Navotas-based BSJ Fishing and Trading Inc. be forfeited in favor of the government.

The firm is the same one owned by fishing magnate Lope Jimenez, who is a suspect in the murder of his nephew’s estranged wife, Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez.

In a 13-page decision, BOC-POM District Collector Arnel Alcaraz said the seized petroleum products would be temporarily placed in the custody of the Department of Energy (DOE), while waiting for recommendations on how they would be disposed.

The BOC ordered the seizure of 1,888,298 liters of diesel oil; 119,655 liters of biodiesel; two barges; one vessel; two container tankers; and two container trucks from BSJ.

It was reported that BOC teams raided the BSJ dockyard at the Navotas Fish Port Complex last September on suspicion that it is engaged in illegal smuggling of fuel.

The BOC reportedly received information that the products were smuggled on fishing vessels from Indonesia.

BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales earlier said the POM issued a warrant of seizure and detention after the DOE reported that the firm allegedly violated provisions of the Clean Air Act.

Samples from the seized petroleum products showed their sulfur content exceeded the authorized level of 0.03 percent by weight for industrial diesel oil and 0.05 percent by weight for automotive diesel oil.  – Evelyn Macairan