Bureau of Customs personnel oversee the condemnation and disposal of more than 35.6 tons of abandoned and forfeited goods worth an estimated Php 1.45 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Photo courtesy of BOC.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) destroyed more than 35.6 tons of abandoned and forfeited goods worth about Php 1.45 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The condemned cargo covered 340 air waybills and came from various countries, according to BOC-NAIA.
Among the items disposed of were vape products, food items, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, defective equipment and other general merchandise.
Customs authorities said the goods had been abandoned or forfeited and were subject to condemnation under existing customs procedures.
Some of the shipments were linked to violations of Republic Act No. 11900, which regulates vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
NAIA District Collector Maria Yasmin Obillos-Mapa said the operation was meant to ensure that forfeited and abandoned goods were disposed of in accordance with law.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the bureau would continue to push for transparency and accountability in the handling of forfeited cargo.
The BOC said the disposal formed part of continuing efforts to prevent abandoned and prohibited goods from being improperly released or returned to the market.