P8-M explosives seized

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has seized P8-million shipment of explosives allegedly shipped from India.

BoC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the explosives, type used for mining operations, arrived at the Port of Mariveles, Bataan on board the M/V Puma late last night.

It was consigned to Nitro Asia Company, which has offices at the Bonifacio Technology Center in Taguig City.

Morales said Nitro Asia “falsely classified” the shipment as signal tubes and caps, “resulting in a margin of 80 percent deficiency in duties and taxes.”

He also instructed Deputy Commissioner Alexander Arevalo, chief of the bureau’s Management Information System Technical Group; and Assistant Commissioner Rolando Ligon Jr., of the Post Entry Audit Group, to submit data file importation on Nitro Asia and conduct a review of all entries on the firm for the last five years.

He added that they could either turn over the explosives to the Philippine National Police (PNP) or have them auctioned off to accredited importers of explosives – a regulated item – to regain the lost revenue.         – Evelyn Macairan