Raps filed vs ukay-ukay traders

By People's Tonight

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed charges against five officials of three companies for allegedly spiriting out ukay-ukay clothing worth more than a million pesos from the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo City allegedly with the use of fake documents.

Named in the complaint-affidavit filed by Angelito Navarro, special agent II of the BOC’s Task Force RENDA (Recover of Non-Collected Duties and other Assessments), were Manuel Bergado, president/majority stockholder of Interlink Recyclers Phils., Inc. (ITRP), Lazer Mega Trading (LMTI), and Mytron Security System Inc.(MSSI); Servillano R. Zabal, director/stockholder of ITRP, LMTI and MSSI; Lucilyn C. Bergado, director/stockholder of LMTI and MSSI, Mylyn C. Bergado, director/stockholder of ITRP and MSSI; and Fermin B. Libay, vice president of Interlinks Recyclers, Phils., Inc.

The Bergados were not in their residence on 197 Madrigal Avenue, Ayala Alabang,Muntinlupa City,when People’s Tonight tried to get their side.

A caretaker told Tonight to go to Tustin Agri Farm, Inc., located on 229 National Road, Baya nan, Muntinlupa City, and look for the Bergados’ alleged secretary, Gemma Tambuli.

Tambuli, through security officer F.M. Palabay, said the Bergados were not around.

Meanwhile, Libay, vice president of the Interlink Recycles Phils., Inc., said he resigned from the company on June 1, a day after the BOC filed the case against them.

“Accountant lang nila ako noon. Pero ginawa akong vice president ng Interlink na hindi ko naman alam ang pinag gagagawa nila, tulad ng smuggling. Ginamit lang nila ang pangalan ko, na hindi ko naman alam na ilegal na pala ang tinatahak,” Libay said.

Deputy Commissioner and Intelligence and Enforcement Group (IEG) chief Celso Templo said the respondents utilized their own and other companies allegedly to import used clothing illegally.

The supposedly smuggled clothings were intercepted by Task Force RENDA led by Maj. Isabelo A. Tibayan III in San Fernando, Pampanga.