DOJ files smuggling raps vs importer of Canada waste

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) approved the filing of smuggling and falsification charges against the importer of toxic wastes from Canada.

Recommended charged are Adelfa H. Eduardo, owner of Chronic Plastics; and the company’s customs brokers Leonora M. Flores, and Sherjun N. Saldon’.

Cases for violation of Republic Act 6969 or the Act to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes, Tariffs and Customs Code and Falsification will be filed against them before the Court of Tax Appeals.

The shipments arrived in six batches from June 10 to August, 2013 at the Manila International Container Port and were subsequently seized by Customs police and operatives of the Enforcement Group following report that the shipment contains toxic wastes.

Upon inspection, the shipments valued at P3.9-million contained mixed “heterogeneous” plastic materials, including household garbage and even adult diapers and not scrap materials as declared by the importers.

“The importation made by Chronic [Inc.] of the declared ‘plastic scrap’… were made without acquiring a prior importation clearance (IC) from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) at least thirty days preceding the actual importation,” the resolution stated.

“The articles actually contained in the imported shipments are classified within the limiting conditions/s in the importation of recyclable materials containing hazardous substances. They are considered as prohibited articles and are not allowed entry in the Philippines due to the hazards it may carry,” the DOJ resolution further stated.

The resolution was signed by Prosecution Attorney Christine Fatima Estepa; and approved by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Susan Dacanay, chair of the DOJ Task Force on Anti-Smuggling; and Prosecutor General Claro Arellano.

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