BOC seizes tanker, trucks with P128M worth of smuggled fuel

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday seized a motor tanker and several lorry trucks, which were allegedly carrying smuggled fuel worth P128 million.

The tanker and the trucks, allegedly involved in “paihi” modus, were seized at the Subukin Port in San Juan, Batangas.

Led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (MICP), authorities were able to confiscate a total of 217,000 liters of smuggled diesel.

“This is a critical and significant seizure because we need to make sure, as the agency at the forefront of border patrol, that only tested and safe fuel get to our markets,” said BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio in a statement.

“The illegal and fraudulent entry of smuggled fuel and the paihi system hurt not only our legitimate fuel distributors but more so our consumers, the Filipino people, because unmarked fuel put them at risk and hazard,” he added.

At P60 per liter, the 217,000 liters of fuel confiscated were valued at P13,020,000, the BOC said.

Meanwhile, the motor tanker has an estimated value of P60 million and the 11 lorry trucks at P55 million for P5 million each.

The operation at the Subukin Port in San Juan, Batangas yielded motor tanker M/T Feliza loaded with an estimated 200,000 liters of unmarked diesel, as well as 11 lorry trucks.

“The tanker and lorry both had failed results in the initial fuel sampling and testing conducted in the area by SGS Fuel Marking Team-Batangas and our CIIS-MICP (Manila International Container Port) agents. The fuel marking was at zero percent,” said CIIS Director Verne Enciso.

Enciso also said the lack of proper fuel markings had suggested the lack of payment of necessary taxes and duties on the seized fuel.

Enciso also mentioned that as of initial results, the smuggled fuel found in the tanker and truck was more or less valued at P13 million.

For his part, Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy stressed how this seizure should highlight the importance of border control and patrol as well as the protection of the economy and consumers from fraudulent products.

“While our mandate is to protect and man our borders, it comes with the responsibility of making sure our consumers, especially those who purchase from small and independent retailers, have access to only legal, legitimate, and tested products, including fuel,” he said.

The BOC said the owners, ship captain, and crew of the motor vessel and trucks are facing charges for violation of Sections 117 and 1113 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), as well as RA 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law after they failed to present proper documents for the seized fuel.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News