4 face P120-M smuggling raps

MANILA, Philippines - Four persons were charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday for allegedly smuggling P120 million worth of galvanized steel and counterfeit products.

Jose Alingasa Jr., owner and proprietor of Titan Movers Enterprises, a firm based in Binondo, Manila; and customs broker Mon Carlo Inciong face charges of violating the Tariff and Customs Code, Republic Act 4109 (Bureau of Product Standards Law), and Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner John Sevilla said in a statement.

The case stemmed from Titan’s importation of three 20-foot shipping containers of specialized steel products misdeclared as steel coils imported from Australia in February, he said.

Sevilla said the firm did not obtain the required import commodity clearance for the products’ importation.

Titan was one of 70 firms suspended by the BOC last March for failing to comply with rules and procedures on filing import documents. Sevilla said Titan is not a registered Philippine Standard license holder for any product covered by mandatory certification.

The BOC also filed charges against Ma. Rosalia Quiambao, owner, proprietor and general manager of Fort-Jhorel International Trading, based in Binondo, Manila; and the firm’s customs broker, Henry Villa for allegedly importing three 40-foot shipping containers with counterfeit branded footwear.