BOC to LTO, PNP: Help us find 203 'hot' cars

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is seeking the help of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police in locating 203 “blue plate” vehicles reportedly smuggled into the country through the Subic port.

The BOC said yesterday the vehicles are now the subjects of warrants of seizure and detention.

Blue plate cars are tax-exempted vehicles (TEVs) that enter the Port of Subic and can be used around SBMA. These vehicles can be brought out of SBMA for official business, but must be returned to the zone after 15 days.

In his letter dated Feb. 25, BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales told PNP chief Director General Jesus Versoza the brands of missing Chrysler Cruiser, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, Land Rover Discovery, Rolls Royce, Land Rover Wagon, Maserati, Volvo, Cherokee Jeep, Toyota, and Yamaha were reportedly sold to third parties at regular prices.

The BOC asked the speedy recovery of the vehicles through the issuance of “alarm” notices to enable it to collect proper taxes.

Morales asked the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to hold “Clearances for Transfer” until corresponding duties and taxes have been paid for the vehicles.

He said the vehicles entered the country by misusing the Republic Act 7227 (bases conversion and development law) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) locator blue plates.

“Per our records, 203 motor vehicles covered by such ‘blue plates’ cannot be located by the BOC and the SBMA.”

Morales said his office had created task force “Oplan Blue Plate’’ to apprehend and seize the vehicles and prosecute those responsible for smuggling these cars.   – Evelyn Macairan