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CEBU CITY, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs is investigating the background of a consignee who allegedly attempted to smuggle luxury vehicles through the port of Cebu twice in less than a month.
Customs District Collector Ricardo Belmonte yesterday said they are investigating Aurora Rustia, a resident of Lapu-Lapu City, who had imported at least seven used motor vehicles since Dec. 31.
Customs officials seized a used 2001 Mercedes Benz and a 1997 Kia Pride model consigned to Rustia on Jan. 11 after she declared it as personal effects with no supporting documents, Belmonte said.
The two vehicles from Korea arrived last Dec. 31. Rustia was given at least 30 days to show documents that she is exempt from paying taxes as a returning overseas Filipino worker.
But Belmonte said they noted that Rustia was also the consignee of the recently seized two used units of Kia Carnival and the three units of Kia Sportage imported from Hae won Dong, Korea on MV Maas Trader on Jan. 17.
Based on records, Rustia misdeclared the used motor vehicles as household goods and personal effects.
Belmonte and Customs Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo found the used motor vehicles inside a 40-foot container van during an inspection on Jan. 22.
“This is a case of a repeat container's consignee and we are investigating. She misdeclared the items and she will be criminally charged for that,” he said.
Aside from Rustia, the bureau will file charges against several consignees for violations of the Tariff and Customs Code.
Belmonte said they will forward records of the seized smuggled vehicles to the Run After Smugglers Team, a division of the Bureau of Customs in Manila which prepares the filing of cases against smugglers.
Meanwhile, 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garia said he supported the move of Cebu City South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco to hold the next congressional hearing on smuggled cars in Cebu.
“For convenience, since the witnesses and officials are here, I support the move to hold the hearing in Cebu. I also want that the head of the Toledo City district office be summoned,” he said.
Investigators from the Department of Transportation and Communication said Toledo City registered 3,906 vehicles in 2007 from two in 2006.
The findings also indicate that several imported vehicles were registered there with questionable import documents. /Correspondent Jolene R. Bulambot
