Importer of used clothing faces raps

CEBU, Philippines -  A complaint for a violation of Republic Act 4653, which prohibits the importation of used clothing for commercial purposes, was filed yesterday  before the Prosecutor's Office against a shopowner in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Atty. Renan Oliva, supervising agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7,  filed the criminal complaint against Sherwin Tee, a resident of Rosario Village in Barangay Mabolo.

The complaint was under regular filing subject for a preliminary investigation. The respondent will be given time to file his answer.

The operation was conducted on April 11, 2013.

The NBI, armed with a search warrant issued by Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Executive Judge Francisco Seville, Jr. , raided the establishment owned by Tee.

In the course of the implementation of the search warrant, the NBI were able to seize 52 bundles of illegally imported used clothing with an estimated worth of P1 million.

Reportedly, Tee has no business permit from the Cebu City Treasurer's Office.

Regional Director Antonio Pagatpat earlier said that prior to the implementation of the search warrant they conducted surveillance and test buys.

However, Tee was not arrested because he was not around.

Under the law, Pagatpat said, the importation of used clothing is prohibited in the Philippines due to the risk it gives to the health of the Filipinos.

The penalty, if found guilty, is imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than five years and a fine of not less than two hundred pesos nor more than P20,000. – (FREEMAN)