2 charged with car smuggling

MANILA, Philippines - Two consignees were charged with car smuggling before the Department of Justice (DOJ) after the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for allegedly illegally importing used vehicles.

The BOC intensified its campaign against car smuggling after the Supreme Court affirmed last Jan. 7 the legality of Executive Order 156, which prohibits the importation of second-hand vehicles.

In a statement, BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon yesterday identified the two consignees as Anthony Soriano, the owner of RANTHS General Merchandise, and Sonny Villatuya for bringing in a total of 17 vehicles, with a combined amount of P8 million, into the country.

Villatuya was reportedly the consignee of 14 alleged illegally imported used right-hand drive vehicles that arrived at the Manila International Container Port from Japan in December 2012.

He reportedly violated Sections 3601 and 2530 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines, EO 156 and Republic Act 8506, which bans the registration and operation of right-hand drive cars in the country.

A 40-foot shipping container consigned to Soriano arrived at the Port of Davao last Feb. 9 from the United States. It reportedly contained a used Range Rover, Mini Cooper and a Nissan 350-Z.

“The Supreme Court ruling affirming the validity of Executive Order 156 banning the importation of used vehicles still prevails. Hence, the BOC will stand by the Supreme Court ruling and stop any attempt to smuggle used cars into the country,” Biazon said.