The media were disappointed Thursday as the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force proceeded with the ceremonial destruction of 16 smuggled luxury vehicles at the Subic Free Port in Olongapo.
This was because, aside from the fact that two of the more expensive sports cars-- a Porsche and a Lamborghini-- were not slated for destruction during the ceremony, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wasn't also able to make it to Subic.
One of the presidential helicopters that was supposed to serve as backup experienced mechanical failure and presidential security protocol prohibited Pres. Arroyo from flying without a backup chopper.
The President was scheduled to fly from Pampanga to Subic.
However, despite the no-show, the PASTF continued with the destruction of the 16 vehicles worth P30 million using a backhoe at the Naval Supply Depot.
The vehicles that were destroyed during the ceremony were: a Lincoln Escalade, three BMW X5s, an Astro Van, an Audi 80, a BWM 3 series sedan, a Pajero, two Nissan Terranos, three Hyundai Grandeurs, a Toyota Estima and a Nissan Serena.