P228 million smuggled sugar seized

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday, October 17, 2022, seized 76 containers of refined sugar worth P228 million from Thailand after the consignee failed to present an import clearance from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz led BOC agents in inspecting the containers after the Customs Intelligence, and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) requested the issuance of an Alert Order last October 4, 2022, more than a week after its arrival on September 24, 2022.

CIIS Director and concurrent Intelligence Group (IG) OIC Deputy Commissioner Jeoffrey Tacio said they earlier received information that the shipment contained “misdeclared” and “undeclared” goods.

As a result, the BOC issued two Warrants of Seizure and Detention against the shipment for violating Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Ruiz said the BOC was determined to stop any action that would jeopardize market prices, local production, and the impact of these on Filipino workers and consumers.

“I am proud of what our team has done in this case, Ruiz said, as he also complemented his men from preventing the change of consignee to evade detection.

CIIS-MICP Chief Alvin Enciso reported an attempt by the consignee to change its name on October 10 after a request for the issuance of an alert order was received at the District Collector’s Office on October 4.

Ruiz said the apprehension forms part of the marching orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to BOC to stop all forms of smuggling and other customs fraud.

‘DD’ surplus for September

Meanwhile, the BOC has maintained its double-digit surplus collection in the first two months of Ruiz as customs chief, garnering a surplus collection of P17.6 billion for the month of September. Ruiz formally assumed the top customs post last July 25, 2022.

Based on the data provided by the Financial Service, the agency’s actual collection reached P79.5 billion, for a 28.4 percent increase from its monthly target of nearly P62 billion.

Although the surplus collection is slightly lower than the posted surplus of more than P20 billion for the month of August, the September collection is still P1 billion more than the actual collection in August of P78.92 billion.

The September figure is also 38.1 percent higher or a surplus of P21.9 billion for the same month last year.

Year-to-date, the BOC has already collected P638.7 billion in total revenues, 17.8 percent above its target for the period, which is also equivalent to P168.9 billion or 35.9 percent positive deviation for the same timeline in 2021.

The BOC registered its highest monthly collection in the month of July, the last month of Ruiz’s predecessor, Comm. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, after it posted an actual collection of P84.424 billion for a surplus of P23.639 billion, which is 38.9 percent more than its assigned target of P60.785 billion.