Complaints vs maritime trade firm withdrawn

Following a series of protracted court battles, the complaints against a Singapore-based maritime trading firm were withdrawn by a private lawyer after both parties reached an amicable settlement.

Lawyer Rex Rico of Rico and Associates said the complaints against Unitor Ships Service Pte. Ltd. were withdrawn after several meetings in which both complainant and respondent explained their side.

Unitor also withdrew a counter-complaint against Rico’s client, the Relinic International Trading Corp.

Rico said Unitor and its officers have pledged to fully comply with all laws, rules and regulations pertinent to their business transactions in the Philippines.

The filing of the cases against Unitor and its officers arose from the alleged sale of maritime safety equipment in the Philippines without a permit.

In his complaint, Rico alleged that the license issued to Unitor by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) only authorizes the firm to provide information about its products to Philippine offshore and industrial markets, which prohibited the firm from directly selling its products.

Rico said he obtained documents showing that Unitor, through its manager Robert Antley, sold its products in the Philippines in violation and disregard of its license. He alleged that all the unauthorized sale transactions entered by Antley, in behalf of Unitor were not covered by corresponding value added tax.

In its counter-complaint, Unitor said it was its local agent Relinic which handled all its taxes and duty payments for several years.

Unitor also claimed that the accusations against them were "calculated to harm, as they are harmful, to the business integrity and interests" of Unitor Group of Companies worldwide.