Customs official denies smuggling allegations

A report by District Collector of Port of Batangas, Napoleon Morales claims, it has been wrongfully reported that "more than 2,000 MT or 86,846 bags of imported cornstarch were illegally released without the objection of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Batangas after payment of only P167,000."

According to Morales 5,000 MT or 200,000 bags of constarch coming on board of the S.S. Ansan from China to the Bauan International Port, Inc.-Port of Batangas (BIPI-POB) on December 9, 2004. "The examination was done from Dec. 9 until Dec. 14, 2004, when it was completely discharged from the carrying vessel S.S. Ansan," claims Morales’ rectification.

The shipment was well examined and the examiner had claimed it not as "cornstarch RSD but rather a food grade cornstarch" and therefore had called for a higher tariff.

Then on Dec. 18, 2004, the cornstarch destined for Cebu was apprehended by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cebu.

The importer posted bonds on the shipment which reached P 23 million, "clearly securing the amount that may be due to the government on account of such importation," as Morales notes in his report.

On Jan. 7, 2005 a "Warrant of Seizure" was "incidentally issued by Collector Billy Bibit against the 86,846 bags of cornstarch at the port of Cebu for the alleged violation of Sec. 2503 of the TCCP, as amended or misdeclaration committed by the consignee."

After the tentative release of the shipment, "the case was referred to the Valuation and Classification Review Committee (VCRC) of the Port of Batangas for the determination of the proper classification and the actual value of the shipment," claims Morales.

Presently, the VCRC is conducting hearings "to receive evidence that will aid in the resolution of the issues.

The matter was then reffered to other laboratories which all say that "they cannot determine the grade/quality of the subject cornstarch," notes Morales.

He also corrects that the vessel is a "locally registered barge" instead of a foreign registration. It was S.S. "Ansan" which transported the shipment from China to Port of Batangas as well as "there was no violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Phillipines (TCCP)."

According to Morales the misleading report and the allegation of smuggling are "unfair and unjust" and he claims that everything was done in consideration if existing rules.