NBI probes missing BOC watches, jewelry

The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday started its investigation into the loss of P2.6 million worth of wristwatches and jewelry that were seized by the Bureau of Customs seven years ago.

NBI investigators and two representatives from the Commission on Audit started conducting their inventory of the jewelry and wristwatches which were respectively placed inside the vault of the Port of Mactan and the U Freight warehouse, which is near the BOC-Mactan office.

The NBI investigation stemmed from the request of then Cebu Customs collector Lourdes Mangaoang after the loss of the wristwatches and jewelry that the BOC seized in December 2000.

The loss was discovered on December 18, 2005 after the winning bidder of the confiscated items complained that some boxes were already empty.

Ernesto Urbano, collector of BOC-Mactan, welcomed the move of the NBI to determine whether some Customs personnel were behind the pilferage.

"Actually when I assumed office in 2005, first thing ginawa ko ay ipa-dispose lahat ng articles na forfeited na sa government pero na pending dahil may complaint about sa nawala na mga wristwatches," Urbano said.

Customs police investigator John Dulay, who witnessed the inventory in 2005, said he will send his own report to the NBI and Urbano, adding that at least 606 wristwatches were missing after the inventory.



Although he refused to name names, Dulay said some personnel of BOC-Mactan could be behind the pilferage of the wristwatches.

"Kun sa basketball pa ni, dunay tulo ka personnel nga maoy last touch ani," he said. - Ramil V. Ayuman/LPM