4 missing controversial container vans found

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs has traced to a warehouse in Mandaue City four of the 15 container vans that went missing from the Cebu International Port sometime June or July this year.

The disappearance of the container vans became controversial because they were withdrawn from the CIP without payment of duties and taxes amounting to P8 million.

The four traced to Mandaue City reportedly contained contraband items.

Surveillance photos taken by Customs last October 20 showed several used tires at the warehouse leased by one Jaime Vicente Amparado.

Vernie Enciso, chief of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services-Cebu, said the warehouse contained at least 5,000 used tires and magwheels and several brand new tires.

Atty. Lemuel Erwin Romero, acting deputy collector for assessment of BOC-Cebu, said the team headed by BOC-Cebu District  Commander Arnulfo Marcos first went to Amparado’s store, JV Tire Supply and Magwheels, in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City and, at that time, Amparado denied involvement in any illegal activity.

“I am not involved in (any) illegal activities,” Amparado said.

Later at the warehouse, Romero called up Amparado to also go to Mandaue but the latter reportedly contended that the BOC should secure a search warrant from the court first.

Marcos said they had with them a Letter of Authority issued by BOC Commissioner Alberto Lina when they went to the warehouse. The LOA would serve as an order to authorize visiting officers to conduct immediate inspection but since Amparado stood his ground, the team had no choice but to seal the warehouse.

Later in the afternoon, Amparado and his lawyer went to the BOC and asked that he be made to continue with his business.

Enciso said an inventory will be conducted today from which BOC expects a Warrant of Seizure and Detention will be issued against the shipment.  Enciso said they will also request for a K-9 unit to check the shipment on the possibility that it may contain illegal drugs.

In a press conference, Marcos said, “Worried na worried ang City Hall lalo na yung mga senior citizens na baka may drugs na laman yung mga container vans. Kaya pinahanap ko talaga. May paper trail naman. Kung yung mga NPA nahanap ko na napakahirap hanapin, yung mga container vans pa.”

Marcos is a retired general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“In my face, ginawa nila ito sa akin. Talagang hahabulin ko sila. As far as I am concerned, it is mission accomplished kasi nahanap ko lahat ang container vans kahit nakalabas na,” he added.

Six of the container vans were found at the Iloilo Medical Center. They contained lighting fixtures, tiles, and pipes, among others. The shipment was declared but no customs taxes and duties were paid, Marcos said.

One container van that contained counterfeit branded toys and general merchandise found its way to the Manila International Container Port, a violation of the Intellectual Property Rights.

Four other container vans are just in Cebu, but Marcos said he will not reveal their location just yet pending the issuance of an LOA. These reportedly contain vehicles, helmets and other motorcycle gears.

Disposal

As far as the tires are concerned, Marcos admitted the dilemma now is how to dispose of the items, considering that they cannot be auctioned.   In a separate interview, DENR-7 information officer Eddie Llamedo said types of wastes like used tires have to be disposed of very carefully as they contain certain chemicals that are harmful to humans.

Llamedo said that based on existing record of the Environmental Management Bureau-7, the list of registered hazardous waste treaters and recyclers here includes Apo Cement Corporation in Tinaan, Naga City for used rubber tires and tire chips.

“After being chemically-treated, the used tires will be used as fuel. Mao na ilang gamiton nga pang sugnod kanang lutu-on nila ang ilang semento,” Llamedo said.

Charges

BOC-Cebu chief-of-staff Kenneth Kern Sesante said wharfinger Flordicante Platil and two gatekeepers were immediately relieved from their post last August after the disappearance was discovered. They are on floating status pending investigation.

Sesante said after the fact-finding inquiry here, they will refer the matter to the BOC central office for formal investigation and filing of charges.   Marcos said all those involved in this illegal release will be facing criminal charges. — /JMO (FREEMAN)