Fedex official snubs Subic cell phone probe

By Anthony Bayarong - Manila Times

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT: An official of FedEx (Federal Express) who was allegedly involved in the reshipping of questionable boxes of high-end cell phones worth P22 million snubbed yesterday’s investigation called by the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group.

The investigation expected Sam Bautista, clearance operations manager of FedEx, to clarify his alleged role in sending back the cell phones to Hong Kong, point of origin of the items. It had been initiated by officials of the antismuggling group, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and Bureau of Customs Subic.

Bautista’s secretary did not say why he could not attend, said Benny Khoo, deputy director of Task Force Subic. The task force takes part in the government’s campaign against smuggling.

Present during the investigation were Khoo; Ferdinand Hernandez, the authority’s administrator for port operations; Erol Albano, Subic deputy collector; Zaldy Almoradie, special deputy collector and members of the press.

Khoo continued with the probe despite the absence of Bautista.

The cell phones had been contained in 15 boxes. They went missing this week, allegedly while in the custody of Almoradie. He said there was no official report about the holding of the boxes by his personnel at Subic Bay International Airport on the day that Albano supposedly put the boxes on hold. Albano, however, said he reported the incident to his superior Marietta Zamoranos, Subic district collector, the following day.

Hernandez said if the boxes were reshipped to Hong Kong, FedEx should have secured a clearance from Subic Customs first.

The probers have not determined who gave the clearance.

Khoo said they will resume the investigation on another date.