NBI files graft case vs 2 Customs employees

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday filed graft charges against two employees of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and three others over the alleged smuggling of around P8 million worth of jewerly from Dubai in 2018.

The NBI filed the complaint against Customs operations officer Lomontod Macabando and security guard Gamaloden Musor before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Abraham Mimbalawag and his wife Bangsa-an as well as another unidentified suspect were included in the charge sheet.

NBI Director Eric Distor said Macabando and Musor allegedly received a bag from Mimbalawag, which contained the jewelry at the restricted conveyor area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in May 2018.

Macabando claimed that the bag belonged to his relative.

The bag contained 24 gold rings, 1,029 pairs of earrings, 155 pendants, five earrings with pendants, 19 gold bangles, 295 gold chains and 101 bracelets.

The Mimbalawag couple who allegedly owned the jewelry failed to produce receipt that they paid duties and taxes, according to NBI anti-graft division head Catherine Camposano-Remigio.

The Mimbalawags are relatives of former justice assistant secretary Moslemen Macarambon Sr., who was accused by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission of intervening in the case.

Macarambon was not included in the complaint, according to NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin.

He resigned from his post in 2018 and denied any involvement in the case.