MANILA, Philippines – Two expensive vehicles stolen in Turkey and Jordan have been found in the Philippines.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is verifying whether the 2005 model BMW X-5 Wagon and the 2009 model Volvo are connected to the alleged car smuggling activities of businessman Lynard Allan Bigcas.
The BMW worth about P5 million was reported stolen in Turkey five years ago, while the Volvo worth P4 million was misdeclared from Jordan.
Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director, said yesterday a certain Wilson Espares of Sta. Rosa, Laguna applied for HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance last May 30.
Verification showed the vehicle was stolen from Turkey, he added.
The Philippine Center for Transnational Crime reported that the vehicle was indeed stolen in Turkey on Oct. 28, 2006.
The vehicle was shipped from Turkey to Syria and arrived at the Manila International Container Port on board the vessel Wybelsum 1046, Espina said.
A Customs district collector issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment last Nov. 26.
Last March 22, Espares offered a settlement for release of the shipment.
Last April 7, a Customs official approved the settlement and Espares paid a total of P799,968 for duties, taxes and 20 percent penalty on April 26.
Espina said the Espares’ acquisition of the motor vehicle from the BOC could be recognized but its status as a stolen vehicle was not immediately determined.
“It was observed that there was a glaring difference between the signature of Espares appearing on the BOC documents and in the letter address to the HPG,” he added.
The Volvo also arrived last month through the Manila International Container Port.
Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said the Volvo was consigned to Bulgarian national Plamen Veselinov Troanski, a tourist who arrived in the Philippines last month.
“We would have this incident investigated,” he said.
“This could be similar to that incident in Mindanao. This could be a stolen vehicle. We are already coordinating with the Jordan government.”
Maj. Marlon Alameda, Customs Enforcement and Security Service MICP district chief, said Troanski violated Philippine import regulations.
“A foreign tourist is not allowed to import a vehicle,” he said.
“You have to be working and a resident in the Philippines to be able to bring in a vehicle. In the case of Troanski, he is only a tourist.”
Alameda said they are investigating the Bulgarian national to determine if he is a frequent visitor to the Philippines and if he is married to a Filipina.
“We would also coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration if he has a derogatory record,” he said.
Alvarez said the Volvo was seized because its importation was not supported by a permit issued by the Bureau of Import Services-Department of Trade and Industry. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Evelyn Macairan