BOC sues 6 for smuggling P7-M steel sheets

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs filed charges against five officials of a company and a customs broker yesterday for allegedly smuggling P7.4 million worth of stainless steel sheets from China.

The charges against Stellent Corp. chairman Rico Cinco; board members Charmayne Angeles, Asuncion Angeles, Maria Rhezy Ilada and Ruge Robert Illada; and customs broker Ruby Ballesteros were filed with the Department of Justice.

The steel sheets, placed in six shipping containers, arrived at the Port of Manila last September. They were misdeclared as steel sheet piles, which are cheaper.

Steel sheet pilings are mainly used as ground support in building construction while stainless steel sheets have many more uses. Aside from construction, steel sheets are also used in machinery and vehicle manufacturing, container manufacturing, shipbuilding, and bridge construction.

In January, Stellent officials and licensed broker John Philip Yap were charged for allegedly trying to smuggle P14.3 million worth of steel angle bars into the country.