By Tracy Cabrera
Following the request of Bureau of Customs (BoC) commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno for the issuance of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against nine of his underlings, sources in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) disclosed that the ILBO will be issued before Friday or early next week.
Aside from the nine Customs officials, Commissioner Nepomuceno requested for the ILBO against 4 other individuals who are all facing criminal complaints over the alleged smuggling of ₱17.5 million worth of onions and carrots.
He likewise sought the BI’s assistance in monitoring the international travel of the suspects to ensure that they would be available to present themselves for investigation and the subsequent proceedings in court.
BI insiders cited that covered by the ILBO request are the owner and representatives of the importer, the licensed customs broker and nine Customs officials and personnel allegedly involved in irregularities.
The cases stemmed from six shipments consigned to Berches Trading that were allegedly misdeclared as ‘chicken lollipops’ but were eventually found to contain 15,029 sacks of onions and 2,164 boxes of carrots.
“We will use every legal measure available to hold accountable all those responsible. Anyone who enables, facilitates or takes part in smuggling will have to answer for it. We will pursue these cases wherever the evidence leads,” Nepomuceno had vowed on the unexpected seizure of the agricultural produce.
Complaints for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act have been filed against the errant BoC personnel stationed at Port of Subic and the other respondents for alleged misdeclaration of agricultural products.
