2nd Cebu trader sued for rice smuggling

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed yesterday smuggling charges against another Cebu-based businesswoman for allegedly illegally bringing in P63 million worth of “hot” rice from Vietnam.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said Gemma Aida Belarma was charged for violation of Section 3602 in relation to Section 101 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines on the “Import(ation of)  Articles Subject to Duty.”

“All articles, when imported from any foreign country into the Philippines, shall be subject to duty upon each importation, even  though previously exported from the Philippines, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Code in other laws,” read the  particular section.

Biazon said the businesswoman was responsible for the 96 20-foot container vans caught carrying smuggled Vietnamese rice at the Port of Cebu last March.

Belarma declared the shipment as granite slabs, granite tiles, stone slabs and wall insulators, to avoid the import permits from the National Food Authority required under the law, he added.

“I am warning all traders and importers who are into illicit trade, especially those involved in the smuggling of agricultural products, to cease from their illegal activities,” said Biazon.

“Dont take chances with the Bureau of Customs as we will get you in due time.”

BOC Deputy Commissioner for Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group and the Run After the Smugglers head Peter Manzano said the charges were filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Belarma, owner of Melma Enterprises.

Belarma allegedly violated section 3601 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines for misdeclaring shipment in an alleged attempt to smuggle rice into the country.

She reportedly smuggled 49,920 sacks of rice placed inside 96 units of 20-footer container vans and declared the shipment as granite slabs, granite tiles, stone slabs and wall insulators.

The shipment, amounting to P63,897.600, arrived at the Port of Cebu in March.

Under the law, all rice importations must be covered by permits from the National Food Authority (NFA).

The shipment would be auctioned off as part of the BOC’s effort to raise revenue, Manzano said.

BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon has ordered all customs frontline operatives to be on the lookout for more smuggling attempts on food items in the coming weeks with the onset of the Christmas season.

The filing of smuggling charges against Belarma brings to 104 the total number of cases filed by the BOC in Biazon’s two years as Customs chief.

This also brings to 147 the total number of smuggling cases filed by the BOC at the DOJ during the administration of President Aquino.

On August 16, the BOC filed smuggling charges against a Cebu-based businesswoman tagged in the alleged illegal importation of P354 million worth of rice from Vietnam.

Biazon said the charges against Jane Mabano, owner of MMSM Trading, were filed with the DOJ for the alleged illegal rice shipment that arrived at the Port of Cebu on March 31.

MMSM Trading was named consignee of the shipment loaded in 532 20-footer container vans, declared as granite, stone slabs, and ceiling insulator slabs.

Biazon said Mabano violated the Tariffs and Customs Code. — Philippine Star News Service and GMA News/LPM