BOC holds P23.9M suspected ‘hot rice’

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs – Cebu yesterday took custody of a rice shipment, which they suspected to be smuggled, pending the submission of required documents.

The Freeman is withholding the name of the consignee pending investigation by the BOC.

BOC-Cebu district collector Roberto Almaden said that as of yesterday, the consignee was not able to submit documents to support the rice shipment, which came from Manila and was supposed to be headed for Isabel, Leyte for typhoon victims there. It was, however, diverted to Cebu.

“Possible nga smuggled rice ni pero di pa ta kasiguro gyud kay para man daw ni relief goods unya anhi i-repack sa Cebu. That’s why we asked the consignee to submit the certification from DSWD and the NFA shipping permit,” said Atty. Dante Maranan, chief legal officer of BOC-Cebu.

Maranan said that there is a possibility that a warrant of seizure and detention will be issued against the shipment if the consignee cannot submit the required documents.

“We will issue a WSD if they fail to submit the document tomorrow or maybe until Monday next week,” Maranan told The Freeman yesterday.

It can be recalled that BOC-Cebu recently donated 5,500 sacks of seized smuggled rice to DSWD-7 for distribution to typhoon Yolanda victims.-/QSB (FREEMAN)