7 charged for P30-M illegal 'ukay-ukay' shipment

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday filed smuggling charges against seven persons before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly smuggling P30 million worth of used clothes – called “ukay-ukay” – into the country.

BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon said the shipments were separately consigned to Heritage Asia-Int’l. Products Trading in Tondo, Manila; Global Welltrade Trading in Mabalacat, Pampanga; and Javeson Trading in Tondo.

Heritage owner Ildefonso Malagonio and his broker, Nanneth Pacia; Global owner Marilyn Anunciacion, representative Carlos Torres and broker Janneth Pacia; Javeson owner Ed Marvin de la Merced and broker Eugenio Gardiola were charged for violating Section 2503 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines and Republic Act 4653, which prohibit the importation of ukay-ukay, as well as the Revised Penal Code.

The shipments, reportedly smuggled from Hong Kong, arrived at the Manila International Container Port.

Biazon said there is a need to crack down on the illegal importation of used clothes because of its adverse effect on the local textile industry and the health hazard these clothes pose if they are not properly sanitized before they are sold.