Businessman, broker face raps for smuggling P96-M high-end laptops

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed smuggling charges before the Department of Justice yesterday against a businessman and a broker for allegedly trying to sneak 3,915 Asus laptop computers worth P97 million into the country by declaring them as computer parts.

Orza Marketing owner and general manager Rolando Peralta and his broker, Manuel Sarmiento, were charged with violating Sections 2503 and 2530 of the Tariffs and Customs Code.

The laptops, which arrived at the Port of Manila last September, were seized on the grounds of misdeclaration and gross undervaluation.

BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon said the laptops will be put up for auction.

“As much as possible, we want to recover revenues for the government that were lost to smuggling. This is one way to stop the illegal activities and at the same time earn revenue for the government,” he said.

He has already ordered BOC personnel to increase their level of vigilance since the Christmas season is just a month away.

“We know that the months immediately preceding the Christmas holiday are the peak months of smuggling,” Biazon said. – Evelyn Macairan, Iris Gonzales