Customs brokers accuse PASG of extortion

MANILA, Philippines - A group of Customs brokers accused yesterday the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) of extortion and told lawmakers that PASG “now stands for Presidential Abu Sayyaf Group” and called for the PASG’s abolition.

Agapito Mendez, Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines Inc. president, told the House of Representatives that PASG “is no different from the kidnap gangs” in Mindanao that demand millions of pesos or dollars in ransom.

“They hold our container vans hostage and they make us pay ransom money,” he said.

Mendez said Customs brokers are made to pay P20,000 per 20-foot container van and P40,000 per 40-foot container van before any van is released.

Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara, whose red sports car was seized by PASG agents, said the agency must be abolished as it duplicates the work of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Only the BOC is authorized by Congress to collect Customs duties, not the PASG, he added. Bichara said Executive Order 624 that created the PASG must be revoked because President Arroyo has no law-making powers.

During the hearing, Bichara questioned PASG officials on their knowledge of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines in conducting their raids.

The men and women of PASG did not undergo seminars on the brokerage law, he said.

In response, PASG Assistant Secretary Danilo Manguila and lawyer Edmund Arugay from the National Bureau of Investigation said civilians were working for the PASG in a voluntary capacity.

However, Bichara said civilians have no accountability, and later end up extorting and abusing businessmen.

Thereafter, Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo, House committee on good government and public accountability chairman, asked PASG officials for a list of their deputized agents for better monitoring.

In response, Arugay said government officials detailed with PASG include 40 police officers, four officers of the Philippine Coast Guard, two from the National Food Authority, four from the Maritime Industry Authority, three from the BOC and several officers from the military.   –Delon Porcalla