BOC destroys 10 smuggled luxury cars

CEBU, Philippines —  The Bureau of Customs simultaneously destroyed yesterday a total of 10 luxury vehicles seized in Manila and Cebu in what officials hoped to send a strong warning to vehicle smugglers to stop illegal importation.

BOC Cebu acting district collector Charlito Martin Mendoza said five luxury cars that were already forfeited were destroyed at the BOC Cebu holding area inside the Cebu International Port.

According to BOC Cebu deputy collector for operations Marc Anthony Patriarca, the five vehicles were a Range Rover Evoque 2019, a Range Rover Evoque 2019, a Porsche 911 2019, a Mercedes Benz 2019, a Alfa Romeo 2019.

Heavy equipment crushed the vehicles into pieces.

Patriarca said that the five vehicles underwent seizure and abandonment proceedings and the importers were given due process.

After sufficient time given to them, Patriarca said the five vehicles were forfeited in favor of the government with finality.

BOC Cebu could not ascertain the total amount of the vehicles destroyed as of yesterday.

In Manila, the forfeited motor vehicles destroyed included a used Ford F-150 Super SVT Can Raptor Pick Up, a brand-new 2015 Toyota Landcruiser, a used 2007 Bentley Continental GT, a brand-new Hyundai Starex, a used Renault Black Van.

The bureau said that the destruction of the vehicles was made in time for its 119th founding anniversary yesterday.

The destruction activity was witnessed by bureau officials.

Patriarca, in his speech, said that the destruction of the seized luxury vehicles was in compliance with the Presidential Directive No. 2017-447. In that directive, President Duterte reiterated the need to destroy these vehicles to send the strong message that the government is serious in its efforts against smuggling.

“Kani nga mga sakyanan nindot unta, sayang kaayo gub-on. Apan kinahanglan nga sundon nato ang balaod,” Patriarca said. — JMD (FREEMAN)