SAN JUAN, Batangas — THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday seized a motor tanker and several lorry trucks carrying smuggled fuel worth PHP13 million at the Subukin Port in San Juan, Batangas.
In a news release, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the joint operation carried out by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (MICP), the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) Task Force Aduana, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Batangas led to the apprehension of M/T Feliza loaded with 217,000 liters of smuggled diesel, as well as 11 lorry trucks.
At PHP60 per liter, the fuel found is valued at PHP13,020,000, while the motor tanker has an estimated value of PHP60 million, and the 11 lorry trucks at PHP55 million, or PHP5 million each.
“Our team effort resulted from the collaboration of our agency and other relevant government departments. The illegal and fraudulent entry of smuggled fuel and the ‘paihi’ system hurt not only our legitimate fuel distributors but more so our consumers, the Filipino people, because unmarked fuel put them at risk and hazard,” Rubio said.
“This is a critical and significant seizure because we need to make sure, as the agency at the forefront of border patrol, that only tested and safe fuel gets to our markets.”
According to CIIS Director Verne Enciso, subsequent fuel marking testing on the subject fuel yielded failed results, which meant that the fuel did not have proper markings indicating payment of duties and taxes.
The BOC official added that the vessel’s captain, Adolfo Jabines Tindoy, was found hiding on the ship deck when the team boarded the tanker.
The owners, ship captain, and crew of the motor vessel and trucks are facing charges for violation of Sections 117 and 1113 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), as well as RA 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law after they failed to present proper documents for the seized fuel.| [With report from PNA]
