Customs collector asks NBI to probe "missing watches"

The Bureau of Customs requested the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an investigation into the loss of P2.6 million worth of seized expensive wristwatches that were declared missing while being kept in Mactan.

Customs district collector Maria Lourdes Mangaoang said she requested NBI regional director Medardo De Lemos to investigate the incident instead of her office conducting the investigation to avoid public perception of a whitewash.

Mangaoang said she would recommend for the suspension or even dismissal of those responsible for the missing wristwatches. Mangaoang added she would also file charges of qualified theft and violation of the Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

"I will personally file charges after a thorough investigation," Mangaoang said.

Mangaoang said that the Mactan collector of customs during the seizure of the items, the cashier and police could be held liable for negligence.

According to Mangaoang, the seized smuggled items that were forfeited in favor of the government should have been placed in the cashier's vault that only responsible officials know the number combination of the lock.

The Freeman learned that Customs officials in Mactan did not properly observe the procedure in the safekeeping of the items because the 5,600 seized wristwatches, most of which are Rolex, were allegedly kept inside the building of U-Freight, a private cargo forwarding company.

Mangaoang learned that most of the seized watches were already missing following the complaint and withdrawal of the bidder who won in the public auction held last December.

The winning bidder reportedly discovered that the boxes supposedly containing the watches were already empty. - Fred P. Languido