Freeport locator faces suspension

SBMA, Olongapo City - A Freeport locator and president of Motor Vehicle Importation Association faces suspension of his license to operate after the Anti Smuggling Task Force and the Bureau of Customs seized some P2 million worth of brand new car replacement accessories and second-hand vehicles from South Korea declared as used passenger vans and spare parts Friday.

Task Force chief Jose Calimlim and BoC Subic Port District Collector Marietta Zamorannos led the opening ot two 40-foot vans shipped by Shinyong Automobile Co. in South Korea and consigned To Barre - Two Co. inc. Owned and managed by Eduardo Barretto, a Freeport locator.

"This is another case of technical smuggling because the shipment is undervalued, miss-declared and over quantified” Calimlim said.

The contents of the vans were declared as used passenger vans and surplus spare parts worth olny $200 each, Hyundai Vans and an ambulance.

The task Force will turn over the illegal shipments to the BoC for proper inventory, appraisal custody.

"Based on the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority board policy, a locator or importer who is found to be involved in smuggling will automatically be suspended for three months. Once the case is field against him, his silence or permit to operate will indefinitely be suspended. If It is for renewal, it will not be renewed," Calimlim explained.

In an interview, Barretto told people's Journal that as a locator, it is his right to undergo due process.

"This is not a case of smuggling since the shipment was declared and have not been brought out of the Freeport zone,” he said