The government is losing at least P65 billion a year to smuggling syndicates operating in various ports of the country, the head of the Presidential Anti- Smuggling Group (PASG) said yesterday.
Undersecretary Antonio Villar, PASG chief, told reporters during the weekly Usapang Daungan sa Danarra Hotel in Quezon City that the P65-billion figure is lower than the reported loss of more than P100 billion a year by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to smuggling.
Villar said President Arroyo has ordered an intensified crackdown against smugglers.
“The order of the President is clear, there will be no sacred cows in the crackdown,” Villar said.
As of yesterday, PASG operatives have padlocked at least four warehouses inside the Subic Bay area containing at least 400 imported vehicles.
The vehicles will be subject to inspection and inventory.
The PASG chief, however, stressed that the lukewarm cooperation of the Bureau of Customs has affected their crackdown.
“The BOC is not cooperating in our operations,” Villar said, citing a case dismissed by the prosecutor for lack of endorsement from the Customs commissioner.
According to Villar, a special force composed of highly-trained military and police operatives has been mobilized to fight the smuggling syndicates.
He said government officials linked to smuggling have not been identified although several luxury vehicles have been traced to lawmakers.
Federation of Philippine Industries president Jesus Arranza had called for the abolition of the special 8 car plates issued to congressmen because smugglers of luxury vehicles allegedly use these in their operations in various ports of the country.
Villar said PASG’s mandate is only limited to the apprehension of smuggled products. The prosecution of those involved in smuggling is undertaken by the Bureau of Customs, which has the mandate to pursue cases against the suspects.
Assistant Secretary Danilo Mangila added that their operations are focused against the smuggling of oil, vehicles, used clothing, agricultural and chemical products and electronic machinery.