BOC vows to cooperate in car smuggling probe

Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo assured the Senate ways and means committee yesterday of its full cooperation in the investigation into the alleged smuggling and undervaluation of brand-new and used luxury vehicles that were brought into the country last year through the port of Manila.

"I have already assured Sen. Ralph Recto, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, of the bureau’s full cooperation in the investigation of the case," Bernado said.

Bernardo also said that he has asked Recto for the copies of the documents in possession of the Senate to validate them with the records of the bureau.

The Customs chief said that he could not comment yet on the exposé as the documents have yet to be validated.

But Bernardo said "heads will roll" if the investigation proves that there was smuggling and undervaluation of brand-new and used luxury cars.

Recto said he could not understand why Customs authorities allowed the vehicles to enter the country when their importation was supposed to be prohibited. He also said that units, including 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers and Mitsubishi Pajeros, were grossly undervalued.

The senator said a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle worth at least P1.5 million was valued at P27,232, a BMW Z3 Roadster was appraised at P191,103, while a brand-new Land Cruiser was appraised only at P297,260.

Recto also disclosed that a Jaguar which costs more than P2 million was declared at P500,000, while an X-5 BMW sports utility vehicle worth P5 million was valued at P975,000 only.

He also said that import documents he has scrutinized showed that "many used vehicles carried a value of what it would cost to buy a new cellular phone."

Bernardo also said that he has ordered a review of all documents on the importation of brand-new and used luxury vehicles not only at the port of Manila, but in all ports, saying that it was only last week that he has issued an order that only the office of the commissioner could order the release of imported vehicles. – Rey Arquiza