7 charged with car smuggling

MANILA, Philippines -  The Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed charges against seven persons before the Department of Justice yesterday for allegedly smuggling used cars into the country.

Philippine Genesis Freight Unlimited Inc. officials Josefina Yap, Raymond Yap, Pamela Bernal, Anthony Yap and Patrishia Anne Yap were charged with violating the Tariffs and Customs Code and Executive Order 156, which bans the importation of used vehicles.

A P3-million shipment consigned to the firm, which arrived on May 10, was found to contain a used Daewoo Rezzo, Kia Carens and Hyundai Sonata.

The BOC also filed charges against Gaspoint Mechanical Engineering Services owner Venecio Luterio and his customs broker, Benedicto Jamitoare, for allegedly smuggling two used right-hand drive Mitsubishi Fuso Canter trucks worth P1.5 million from Japan.