Car firm exec nixes smuggling charges

A close relative of a former Presidential Security Group (PSG) chief who had been implicated in the smuggling of luxury cars at the Subic Bay Freeport yeterday dared his accusers to come out in the open and file charges against him.

Gerard Rabonza, cousin of Gen. Glenn Rabonza, vehemently denied news reports quoting unnamed sources as saying that he is using Subic Acropolis in facilitating the release of smuggled luxury cars by declaring them as "used trucks."

Subic Acropolis is a company engaged in warehousing, trading and shipment of general merchandise which was granted a license to operate inside Subic after Mrs. Arroyo assumed the presidency last year. It has been mentioned in the report as facilitator of smuggled luxury cars.

Gerard is one of the major incorporators of Subic Acropolis and has been mentioned as having close ties with presidential son Pampanga Vice Gov. Mikey Arroyo.

"The accusation was an outright lie. Our company is a legitimate trading firm doing legitimate business," the young Rabonza exclaimed.

He also categorically denied allegations that he is using his friendship with Mikey Arroyo and his close affinity with General Rabonza to effect his illegal activities.

He added he is willing to be investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation "to clear myself and the innocent persons who are being dragged along with me into this fabricated anomaly."

News reports claimed that the Subic Acropolis was behind the attempted smuggle of several container vans which yielded some P45-million worth of luxury cars. – Nestor Etolle