Bureau of Customs files raps vs Davao trader

MANILA, Philippines - A businessman who claimed to be a whistleblower has been charged before the Department of Justice for ordering the opening of a container van in the Port of Davao, which the X-ray inspection division of the Bureau of Customs district in the province had alerted for containing smuggled rice instead of the declared construction materials.

Davao District Collector Anju Nereo Castigador asked the DOJ to indict businessman Rodolfo Reta and several others for usurpation of authority for purportedly opening the container van consigned to Rapzel General Merchandise without their approval and consent from authorities last Feb. 26.