Almost P40-M misdeclared sugar abandoned at Manila port — BOC

Almost P40 million worth of misdeclared sugar shipped from Thailand was abandoned at the Port of Manila, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

In a statement, the BOC said 22,500 sacks of sugar in 45 twenty-footer containers that arrived at the port in June and July was declared to contain packaging materials, kitchen utensils, and kraft paper.

The shipment is consigned to Red Star Rising Corporation owned by a certain Dante Lunar, with an address in Binondo, Manila.

The report by Susan Enriquez on 24 Oras said the address is used by another company that imports school supplies.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña described such shipment as "pure smuggling," saying the consignee may have abandoned the sugar to take advantage of the rising prices of the commodity.

"Ang sugar sa atin, mas mataas ang presyo kaya isa ito sa mga ini-ismuggle na item into our country," Lapeña said.

"I-ano muna sa warehouse tapos kung mataas ang presyo, saka nila ilalabas. It's also one way of hoarding," he added.

Calling it a "sugar cartel," Lapeña said it was possible that the shipment slipped past the BOC with the help of Customs agents.

"They manipulate the prices," the commissioner said.

The sugar shipment, which the BOC estimated to be worth P39.37 million, is set to be auctioned off.

"Perishable po ito so we have to expedite the auction, disposal natin through auction," BOC spokesperson Erastus Sandino Austria said.

On Thursday, Lapeña issued a memorandum directing all ports to immediately conduct an inventory and examination of abandoned goods in the bureau's custody.

The report said economic sabotage charges were filed against those involved in the misdeclared shipment.

The BOC's said Lapeña had also revoked the importer's accreditation. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News