Pols in black book face smuggle probe

MANILA, Philippines - At least one governor, two mayors and a Customs official named in the so-called black book of suspected Mindanao car smuggler Lynard Allan Bigcas are facing probe by the National Bureau of Investigations (NBI).

Their names surfaced yesterday when the House subcommittee on Customs chaired by Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas confronted Bigcas about his black book, which the latter described as his diary.

Listed in the document are a governor Jalosjos, a Bullet Jalosjos, a mayor Ali, a mayor Dimaporo, a colonel Pimentel, a Boy Plaza, and Noah Dimaporo, who is deputy customs collector in Cagayan de Oro City.

Bigcas did not say, nor was he asked, who exactly were the two Jalosjoses – whether he was referring to Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Rommel Jalosjos and Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, whom friends in the House call Bullet.

“We want to know if they are buyers of the stolen vehicles or firearms since Mr. Bigcas is also into the sale of high-powered firearms and ammunitions,” NBI Northern Mindanao Regional Director Jose Justo Yap said.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation earlier requested the NBI to look deeper into the recovery in the Philippines of the stolen high-end big bike of Hollywood screenwriter Skip Woods.

Yap said they are digging deeper into the transactions between the officials and Bigcas whose properties in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon yielded several firearms and ammunitions. NBI agents raided Bigcas’ houses last May 3.

Charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions have been filed against Bigcas in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon. The seized firearms were either unlicensed or had expired licenses. 

Bigcas has sued the NBI agents who conducted the raids. He also sought the return of the seized vehicles.

The FBI said at least 11 of the 29 vehicles seized in the raids were stolen, including Woods’ Martin Bros. Harley Davidson motorcycle.

It was the search for Woods’ stolen $80,000 big bike that led to the discovery of the luxury vehicles in Bigcas’ Mindanao houses.  

“It is his right to file a case,” said NBI chief Magtanggol Gatdula, referring to Bigcas’ suing the NBI raiders.

“Then he can air his side. And we can also give the side of law enforcement,” Gatdula said.

He maintained that the raids conducted by his men in Mindanao were legal operations and covered by search warrants. He said they have a strong case against Bigcas.

Yap said the FBI sent a letter to the NBI dated May 10 attesting to Bigcas’ illegal acquisition of the vehicles.

“So he will be charged here in the Philippines and in the United States in connection with the stolen cars and big bikes,” Yap said.

He said they are seeking the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of Bigcas. He said he would be tried in a local court and if found guilty would be extradited to the US after serving time in Philippine prison. He is also expected to face trial in the US.

Floating status

Meanwhile, Bureau of Customs chief Angelito Alvarez said Dimaporo has been on floating status since last week due to his possible links to the alleged smuggling activities of Bigcas.

Dimaporo is acting deputy collector for operations and administration of the Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT).

Dimaporo is also the Special Assistant for Mindanao Monitoring of the Office of the Commissioner.

Alvarez has reassigned Dimaporo to the Office of the Commissioner, in Manila’s Port Area.

“This order shall take effect immediately and shall last until revoked,” Alvarez said.

BOC-Enforcement Security Service (ESS) Director Nestorio Gualberto said that Dimaporo “has been placed on floating status because at the time that the vehicles reportedly arrived in the country, it was believed that he was assigned at the Port of Cagayan de Oro.”

“He might have been relieved to not influence the conduct of the investigation and that if he has something to do with it (smuggling), he would not be

able to destroy evidence that would help in the investigation,” Gualberto added.

“This means that the vehicles coming in should have passed by him. The processing of the vehicles was his (Dimaporo’s) responsibility,” he said.

The BOC earlier pointed out that some of the “hot” cars were allegedly registered at the satellite offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which were not authorized to register imported vehicles.

Gualberto said the NBI has taken the lead in the investigation and that BOC’s role is to assist through submission of pertinent documents including copies of the Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD), copies of documents obtained from the LTO, and a certification from BOC-Cagayan de Oro District Collector Anju Castigador that there had been no record of importation of the vehicles. With Evelyn Macairan