Customs tracks down 15 missing container vans

FIFTEEN container vans stored at the Cebu International Port (CIP) were  illegally withdrawn from June to July, said officials.

Four of the missing vans which contain used tires were found by officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Cebu at a rented warehouse in Albano St., Cebu City.

Lawyer Kenneth Kern Sesante, chief of staff in the Port of Cebu, said in a press conference that they belatedly discovered the withdrawal of the container vans last August.

Customs officers of the Port of Cebu seal a warehouse in Mandaue City after they discover that 15 container vans were illegally withdrawn from the Cebu International Port. (CDN Photo Michelle Joy L. Padayhag)

“We were doing monthly reports for the entries filed in the Port of Cebu since we want to identify what items are not claimed or up for abandonment,” said Sesante.

Seven container vans were declared to contain construction materials. Four  vans contained tires while  four others had general merchandise.

The construction materials came from China while the used tires came from Japan and Korea. The items were estimated to cost P8 million.

The two consignees of the shipment were GLE Enterprise and Fab Commodities.

Led by Cebu District Collector Arnulfo Marcos, BOC officials went to JV Tire Supply and Magwheels at 2258 M.J. Cuenco Avenue in Cebu City yesterday. The The  four containers that contained the tires were believed to have been delivered.

“We told them that we were looking for proof of payment and that we will get back to them,” Marcos told reporters.

Customs officials then went to Kimwa Construction Warehouse in S.O. Albano Street in barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City to trace the other missing vans.

The warehouse was rented by JV Tire Supply and Magwheels.

“It (warehouse) was padlocked. Based on the information we gathered, it was still open 15 minutes before we arrived. They knew we were coming,” Marcos said.

“Tumawag kami pero ayaw mag-participate so we decided to seal it. If the seal would be broken, then it will be a violation,” Marcos added.

Owner of JV Tire Supply and Magwheels was identified as Jaime Vicente Amparado.

BOC returned to the warehouse in the afternoon and found used tires there.

Owners of the store in Cebu City and warehouse in Mandaue were asked to present proof of purchase.

“They requested for time to present documents,” Sesante said.

The owner told the officials that they can present documents that are locally sourced.

“We decided to give them time to submit the documents as part of the due process. They promised to submit it on Monday,” Sesante added.

Wharfinger Flordicante Platil has been relieved from his post two months ago for failing to explain how container vans were illegally withdrawn.

As a wharfinger, Platil approved the release of the container vans.

“Container vans will not be released if the importer can’t pay its duties and taxes. Proof of payment needs the signature from the cash division chief before he (wharfinger) approves the release,” Sesante said.

After the approval of the wharfinger, two gatekeepers need to check the receipt.

Sesante said that the two gatekeepers will also be investigated.

The Run After the Smugglers (RATS) will handle the investigation and the filing of charges.