SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Subic seized around 7,029 metric tonnes of sugar on Thursday evening as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to thwart the illegal hoarding of sugar imports in the country.
According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the BOC Port of Subic held the Taiwanese cargo ship MV Bangpakaew at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) on Thursday evening.
He said that the ship that came from Bangkok containing 142,798 bags or equivalent to 7,029 metric tonnes of imported sugar arrived on August 17, 7pm. A part of the shipment have already been unloaded into three trucks supposedly en route to Oro Agri Trade in Rosales, Pangasinan.
According to Paulino, the vessel has allegedly been using recycled import documents and has already paid its taxes worth P44 million. The cargo vessel is currently on hold for further investigation.
“We are following President Marcos’ mandate to ensure that there is no hoarding of sugar in the country. The President made it clear that he does not want to import sugar, and certainly he does not want the illegal hoarding of sugar that causes prices to skyrocket,” he said.
Recently, the BOC Port of Subic intercepted various illicit cigarettes worth P253 Million from June to July 2022.
According to Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin, previously, 972 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Thousand Sunny valued at P40.09 million were confiscated in June. She added that the Port also intercepted 1,003 master cases of cigarettes worth P41.3 million, consigned to Russhi Knish Consumer.
“Another shipment of Thousand Sunny Enterprise arrived at the Port despite the revocation of their accreditation. It contained 1,000 master cases of assorted cigarettes valued at P42.2 million,” she added.
In July 2022, the Port seized another 2,157 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Proline Logistics Philippines Inc. amounting to P84.9 million.
The BOC-Subic also received information that another shipment consigned to Proline Logistics Inc. would arrive at the Port.
The BOC immediately issued a Pre-lodgment Control Order against the subject shipment, which contained 1,122 master cases of Marvels Filter Kings Cigarettes valued at P46,276,890.00. Martin vowed to protect the national borders against unscrupulous importers and illicit traders through intensified profiling and monitoring of import goods.