Brokers, truckers stage strike anew vs PASG

MANILA, Philippines - Groups of Customs brokers, truckers, importers and other port users staged another strike yesterday to call for the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG).

They are asking higher authorities to look into the alleged illegal activities of the PASG, headed by Antonio Villar Jr. They previously staged a strike last week.

At the top of a list of their complaints is the PASG’s impounding hundreds of containers at the Port of Manila (POM) and the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

They said several weeks ago, a PASG special operations group headed by Edmond Arugay set up tents outside the gates at the two ports, checking all import documents, imposing additional duties and taxes or demanding the reexamination of goods in their presence.

“What makes the situation even worse is that the PASG personnel who do the inspection and valuation have absolutely no background or training in these matters. This is why we’re calling for the abolition of the PASG to ensure the smooth and efficient operation in Customs, and, more important, do away with reports of harassment and extortion being done on legitimate operators and importers,” said Agapito Mendez, Jr., president of the Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines. – Nestor Etolle