6 BoC officials in Subic relieved pending sugar smuggling probe

On August 18, there was an attempt at the Port of Subic to smuggle some 140,000 bags of imported sugar from Thailand, which is equivalent to 7,000 metric tons.

Initial probe conducted by the BoC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) indicated that the imported sugar used a “recycled permit,” meaning an import permit which was already used in an old sugar allocation.

In an Office Order dated August 22, Acting BoC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz relieved the six Port of Subic officials and “temporarily transferred to the Office of the Commissioner” pending the results of the inquiry into the alleged smuggling of sugar from Thailand.

Ordered relieved were Maritess Theodossis Martin, district collector; Maita Sering Acevedo, deputy collector for assessment; Giovanni Ferdinand Aguillon Leynes, deputy collector for operations; Belinda Fernando Lim, chief of assessment division; Vincent Mark Solamin Malasmas, Enforcement Security Service (ESS) commander; and Justice Roman Silvoza Geli, CIIS supervisor.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles had said heads may roll at the BoC if evidence shows that any of the bureau’s port personnel are in connivance with smugglers using recycled sugar import permits. 

On August 18, the BoC averted the possible smuggling of 7,021 metric tons of sugar from Thailand after it learned that the import permit used for the cargo was “recycled.”

The cargo vessel MV Bangpakaew was found to be loaded with 7,021 metric tons of Thailand white refined sugar equivalent to 140,000 bags and with total tax payment valued at P45,623,007.51.

Initial probe showed that the consignee of the smuggled sugar is Oro-Agritrade Inc. under the account of ARC Refreshments Corp. under Entry Nos. C-12513 and C-12521. 

The Thai exporter is listed as Ruamkamlarp Export Co. Ltd while the local customs broker was identified as Malou Leynes Buerano 

The BoC-CIIS reported that the cargo is covered by a “Special Permit to Discharge (SPD) and Verified Single Administrative Document (SAD)” from BoC and with a verified clearance from the SRA through a certain Mr. Rondell Manjarres.