BOC SUES 5 MORE DELINQUENT BALIKBAYAN BOX HAULERS

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno just sent the clear message that going after irresponsible cargo forwarders and deconsolidators that victimized thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families remains a government priority as he personally led in the filing of the second batch of fresh criminal charges at the Department of Justice.

In a statement on June 19, the respondents now involved 5 more cargo forwarding companies namely: Ikthus Trading Corporation, Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders, Me Amoree International Consumer Goods Trading, MT De Guzman Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, and Cargoflex Haulers Corporation.

The criminal complaints in relation to RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, CMTA) involve the abandonment and non-delivery of 3,176 balikbayan boxes discovered in several ports nationwide.

Several other cases involving suspected violations by cargo forwarding firms are currently under investigation and case build-up, with additional complaints expected to be filed as evidence is gathered and evaluated, the Customs Chief bared further.

The initial investigation, the BOC said, uncovered alleged schemes involving fraudulent misdeclaration and undervaluation of goods, unauthorized deconsolidation activities, outright smuggling, non-declaration of commercial goods, importation of prohibited and regulated items, and intellectual property rights violations.

The filing follows the Bureau’s first batch of criminal complaints lodged last May 29, against Makati Express Cargo, Inc., with cases initiated by the Ports of Cebu, Davao, and the Manila International Container Port (Pinoy Exposé, June 7, 2026).

Together, these actions form part of a broader enforcement initiative targeting cargo firms that exploit the balikbayan box system and undermine the trust of OFWs and their families to the government, the BOC said.

“Ang ikalawang batch ng mga kasong ito ay nagpapakita ng ating determinasyon na panagutin ang mga lumalabag sa batas.

“Hindi tayo titigil sa pag-iimbestiga, pagbuo ng mga kaso, at pagsasampa ng kaukulang reklamo laban sa mga cargo operators na sangkot sa panlilinlang at iba pang fraudulent activities na nakapipinsala sa ating mga OFW at kanilang mga pamilya,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.

He also emphasized that the filing of the complaints is just part of the bureau’s ongoing enforcement efforts.

Several other cases involving suspected violations by cargo forwarding firms are currently under investigation and case build-up, with additional complaints expected to be filed as evidence is gathered and evaluated, the Customs Chief bared further.