PASG, Customs getting on each other’s nerves
Relations between the heads of the Presidential Antismuggling Group (PASG) and Bureau of Customs are showing signs of fraying.
In a news forum on Monday, Undersecretary Antonio A. Villar Jr., PASG chief, noted the delay on the part of Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales in providing the PAGC with the documents it needs to build a strong case against suspected smugglers.
“I don’t know what’s taking them so long to give us the necessary documents for us to pursue the cases against suspected smugglers. President Arroyo has already instructed them to cooperate with us,” Villar said, referring to Morales.
The PASG chief made it clear that he was not blaming Morales but Morales must discipline his personnel suspected of engaging in questionable activities.
Villar said the PASG was gathering evidence for several smuggling cases and 50 percent of the cases had spurious documents. “That is why we are asking the BOC to provide us with the [original] copies,” he said.
Villar said he decided to bypass Morales and seek the help instead of Customs Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo, who produced at least some of the documents.
He cited one incident in which he asked Morales for a visitation pass in connection with PASG’s operation against car dealers in Metro Manila suspected of selling smuggled vehicles.
Only the Customs chief can issue a visitation pass, which PASG agents needed to inspect the car firms.
Villar said it took Morales two days to issue the passes. When his men inspected the car shops the supposed smuggled vehicles were already gone.
“I’m not implying anything but this was the reason why I decided to coordinate instead with deputy commissioner Templo,” Villar said.
Villar also said Customs released highly taxable goods worth at least P100 million without the correct duties and taxes.
The goods were seized by PASG agents who raided a warehouse in Tondo last Friday.
Villar said Monday that a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) was served to the warehouse owner, Ran Property and Management, after a monthlong surveillance confirmed the presence of contraband in at least two warehouses in the compound.
“I gave the owners of the contraband 72 hours to present proper documents to prove that their goods are not smuggled. After my men swooped down on the warehouse, not one of the owners of the goods showed up, hinting that they, indeed, are into some kind of illegal activity,” Villar said.
The PASG agents also invited for questioning 22 Chinese nationals who were manning the warehouses.
The aliens were not able to produce proper travel documents and would be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration for proper action.
Among the contraband were chemicals, agricultural produce, electronic items, toys, DVD players, sleepers, RTW, hardware, and personal items such as towels and blankets.
Villar said the goods had no bill of lading, packing list, corresponding entries, gate pass and Customs official receipts which must be acquired before any shipment of goods is considered legally imported.
Villar said the importers of the goods, particularly the foodstuff, should have complied with the proper requirements such as clearance from the Bureau of Food and Drugs, certificate of product registration, accreditation from the Bureau of Product Standard for marking duty, country of origin, import permit from Sugar Regulatory Administration and National Food Authority and should have the approval of the International Compliance Certificate.
Villar said Customs allowed the PASG to exercise its visitorial power over the warehouses.
By Jefferson Antiporda and William B. Depasupil - Manila Times Reporters
In a news forum on Monday, Undersecretary Antonio A. Villar Jr., PASG chief, noted the delay on the part of Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales in providing the PAGC with the documents it needs to build a strong case against suspected smugglers.
“I don’t know what’s taking them so long to give us the necessary documents for us to pursue the cases against suspected smugglers. President Arroyo has already instructed them to cooperate with us,” Villar said, referring to Morales.
The PASG chief made it clear that he was not blaming Morales but Morales must discipline his personnel suspected of engaging in questionable activities.
Villar said the PASG was gathering evidence for several smuggling cases and 50 percent of the cases had spurious documents. “That is why we are asking the BOC to provide us with the [original] copies,” he said.
Villar said he decided to bypass Morales and seek the help instead of Customs Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo, who produced at least some of the documents.
He cited one incident in which he asked Morales for a visitation pass in connection with PASG’s operation against car dealers in Metro Manila suspected of selling smuggled vehicles.
Only the Customs chief can issue a visitation pass, which PASG agents needed to inspect the car firms.
Villar said it took Morales two days to issue the passes. When his men inspected the car shops the supposed smuggled vehicles were already gone.
“I’m not implying anything but this was the reason why I decided to coordinate instead with deputy commissioner Templo,” Villar said.
Villar also said Customs released highly taxable goods worth at least P100 million without the correct duties and taxes.
The goods were seized by PASG agents who raided a warehouse in Tondo last Friday.
Villar said Monday that a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) was served to the warehouse owner, Ran Property and Management, after a monthlong surveillance confirmed the presence of contraband in at least two warehouses in the compound.
“I gave the owners of the contraband 72 hours to present proper documents to prove that their goods are not smuggled. After my men swooped down on the warehouse, not one of the owners of the goods showed up, hinting that they, indeed, are into some kind of illegal activity,” Villar said.
The PASG agents also invited for questioning 22 Chinese nationals who were manning the warehouses.
The aliens were not able to produce proper travel documents and would be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration for proper action.
Among the contraband were chemicals, agricultural produce, electronic items, toys, DVD players, sleepers, RTW, hardware, and personal items such as towels and blankets.
Villar said the goods had no bill of lading, packing list, corresponding entries, gate pass and Customs official receipts which must be acquired before any shipment of goods is considered legally imported.
Villar said the importers of the goods, particularly the foodstuff, should have complied with the proper requirements such as clearance from the Bureau of Food and Drugs, certificate of product registration, accreditation from the Bureau of Product Standard for marking duty, country of origin, import permit from Sugar Regulatory Administration and National Food Authority and should have the approval of the International Compliance Certificate.
Villar said Customs allowed the PASG to exercise its visitorial power over the warehouses.
By Jefferson Antiporda and William B. Depasupil - Manila Times Reporters
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
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