BOC sues importers of Thai rice, Peking duck for smuggling

The Bureau of Customs on Thursday filed separate smuggling-related complaints against two companies for illegally importing Thai rice and Peking duck.

The combined value of the shipments was placed at more than P72 million.

In the first complaint filed with the Department of Justice in Manila, the BOC charged officers of Calumpit Multi-Purpose Cooperative for bringing in Thai white rice valued at P68,380,000.00. The bureau claimed the rice shipment was without any matching import permit.

The respondents were charged with violating Section 3601, in relation to Sections 101 and 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

Among the company officials charged were Magdalena Salgado, chairperson; Lolita Tesalona, vice chairperson; board secretary Juliet Gallema, treasurer Christina Manlangit, and members of the board of directors Wilfredo Navarro, Leah Wilang, Crecencio Refuerzo, Simeon Gamino, Carlito Villanta, Candida Umalla, Norma Reyes, and Eufemia Ramos.

Also charged were Mercy Oandasan, licensed customs broker, and other yet to be identified co-conspirators, financiers, facilitators and principals.

According to the BOC, the rice arrived in the country from China in 118 20-foot container vans through the Manila International Port on June 25, 2015.

The rice was discharged between November 24 and December 12, last year.

In the second complaint, also with the DOJ, the BOC also accused Eugene Mercado of GET Enterprises of violating Section 3601, in relation to Sections 101 and 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code.

Declared as frozen meat, the Peking duck shipment was valued at P4,003,216.00.

The shipment in a 20-foot container van arrived at the Port of Batangas from Hong Kong last January 17. – VDS, GMA News