Collector was unsure if drugs were in magnetic lifters – BOC

Customs Deputy Collector Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang's testimony at a Senate inquiry negated her earlier claims that there were methamphetamines or shabu hidden inside magnetic lifters found at the Manila International Container Port or MICP, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Sunday.

"She said under oath at the Senate hearing that 'she is NOT sure there is drugs in the magnetic lifters found in Cavite'," the BOC said in a statement.

"During the past few days, there have been conflicting reports about the facts surround the issue on Shabu smuggling through [the MICP]," the statement read further.

"The BOC would like to clarify some facts and ensure that the discussion moving forward are always facts based. This has been our stand from the very beginning, that all statements regarding the matter be factual and supported by evidence."

Last week, Mangaoang told Super Radyo dzBB that x-ray images showed the P6.8-billion worth of shabu hidden inside the magnetic lifters found in a warehouse in Cavite, and that Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña knew this.

"Alam niyang (Lapeña) may alam ako, at alam niyang may laman, dahil... binigyan ko siya ng kopya ng X-ray image. Sabi ko, 'Sir, ito po ang klarong image... at kitang-kita po may laman yan.' Binigay ko sa kanya ang kopya," Mangaoang had said.

"Yes, alam niya. Sinabi ko sa kanya na may laman pero wala siyang aksyon na ginawa."

‘Immediate action’

Last Thursday, Lapeña refuted the allegations made against him, which he linked to an ongoing internal cleansing at the bureau.

"Our internal cleansing and anti-corruption efforts must be hurting people from within and outside the organization that I feel there is a concerted effort to discredit the reforms we are doing,” countered the commissioner.

The BOC also argued that the x-ray images of the lifters did not show hidden drugs, but wiring as found by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The BOC statement also said that Lapeña took immediate action on the matter, and "created an Investigation Committee headed by Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval to investigate and gather information and evidence regarding the discovery of four magnetic lifters in GMA, Cavite."

Lapeña also approved a joint investigation by the BOC and PDEA regarding the magnetic lifters, and created another investigative body headed by Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla to investigate Jimmy Guban.

Guban has since but put under preventive suspension for 90 days pending administrative measures.

According to the BOC, Lapeña also revoked the accreditation of exporting company SMYD and had issued alert orders on its remaining shipments.

Cases were likewise filed against Vedacio Cabral Baraquel, the owner of VECABA Trading, the consignee of the intercepted shipment found to have contained illegal drugs.

Clarifications

In its statement, BOC also clarified several reports regarding the alleged drug smuggling:

- On claims that shipments of magnetic lifters at the MICP and GMA Cavite have the same consignee

"The shipments at MICP is consigned to VECABA Trading (there was an attempt to amend the information at the shipping line but said information never reached BOC) while the shipments at GMA Cavite were consigned to SMYD."

- On claims that the exporters of VECABA Trading and SMYD are one and the same

"The exporter of VECABA Trading is SN Logistics; while the exporter of SMYD is Yida Equipment Crane Ltd."

- On claims that both shipments came from the same source

"The VECABA shipment was exported from Malaysia; while SMYD shipment was exported from Vietnam."

- On claims that the BOC had knowledge of VECABA's drug shipments since May 2018

"According to statements at the Senate hearing made under oath by Acieto, Fajardo, Guban, and Aquino, that they only learned the information about drugs ONLY ON JULY 16, 2018. This is stated in their official reports."

— Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News