Federal Express official in a bind over cell phones
AN OFFICIAL of the Federal Express Airfreight Service is facing investigation by the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group for authorizing the reshipment of a cargo of cell phones under unusual circumstances.
Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr., group head, said in a statement that Task Force Subic acting deputy director Benny Kho has been ordered to meet with Sam Bautista, FedEx Clearance Operations manager, who authorized the transaction.
The reshipment prevented the PASG operatives from verifying a tip alleging the cell phone units were smuggled.
The still undetermined amount of shipment contained in 15 freight boxes and consigned to a certain Noel Moog of Pilar, Bataan, arrived from Hong Kong early last week.
To an earlier inquiry, Bautista reportedly sent a letter of explanation to Zaldy Almoradie, Subic Customs special collector, claiming that he cleared the reshipment on the request of the shipper and the consignee.
Customs and anti-smuggling authorities received information that Moog’s consigned goods were unsupported by required documents.
“The shipment was authorized by Mr. Bautista for reshipment in clear violation of the existing rules and regulations. He did not properly coordinate with or notify the concerned officials of Customs and PASG-TFS. He did not clear the matter with us,” Kho said.
Records showed that the shipment was declared as communications equipment but Kho said intelligence report indicated the cargo was not covered by a permit from the National Telecommunications Commission.
Villar said if the investigation results would point to a coverup, all those responsible for the cargo’s illegal shipment will be charged with violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.
He said administrative charges would also be slapped against Customs staff found liable for the questionable entry and reshipment of the cell phones.
By Roy Pelovello - Manila Standard Today
Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr., group head, said in a statement that Task Force Subic acting deputy director Benny Kho has been ordered to meet with Sam Bautista, FedEx Clearance Operations manager, who authorized the transaction.
The reshipment prevented the PASG operatives from verifying a tip alleging the cell phone units were smuggled.
The still undetermined amount of shipment contained in 15 freight boxes and consigned to a certain Noel Moog of Pilar, Bataan, arrived from Hong Kong early last week.
To an earlier inquiry, Bautista reportedly sent a letter of explanation to Zaldy Almoradie, Subic Customs special collector, claiming that he cleared the reshipment on the request of the shipper and the consignee.
Customs and anti-smuggling authorities received information that Moog’s consigned goods were unsupported by required documents.
“The shipment was authorized by Mr. Bautista for reshipment in clear violation of the existing rules and regulations. He did not properly coordinate with or notify the concerned officials of Customs and PASG-TFS. He did not clear the matter with us,” Kho said.
Records showed that the shipment was declared as communications equipment but Kho said intelligence report indicated the cargo was not covered by a permit from the National Telecommunications Commission.
Villar said if the investigation results would point to a coverup, all those responsible for the cargo’s illegal shipment will be charged with violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.
He said administrative charges would also be slapped against Customs staff found liable for the questionable entry and reshipment of the cell phones.
By Roy Pelovello - Manila Standard Today
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
7:52 AM
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