BUREAU of Customs Port of Subic District Collector Maritess T. Martin said they do not oppose the proposed abolition of the transhipment of cigarettes through the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
If Congress sees fit to abolish the practice, they will abide by it and enforce it if the law so warrants, Martin said in a statement.
The District Collector’s statement came on the heels of issues raised by tobacco companies that transhipment of goods through the nation’s ports was being used as a means to sneak in illegally imported cigarettes to the country to sell them locally at lower prices.
Martin maintained that port personnel are fulfilling their mandate to ensure that the privilege granted to locators and transhipers is not abused. She said they are closely monitoring the entry of all these transhipped goods and coordinating with legitimate tobacco firms like Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco International to make sure that the transhipped items do not leave the Freeport and enter the domestic market through illegal channels.
In terms of revenue collection, Martin allayed fears that stopping the transhipments will pose an impact on collections. She explained that revenue generation will not be affected much since cigarette imports through transhipment do not generate revenue for the government.
Amid issues being hurled against the Port of Subic, she stressed the BOC Port of Subic’s crackdown on all illegal importations remains a top priority.
She cited the PoS’s performance in intercepting attempts to smuggle in cigarette products through the port this year where the Port of Subic made history by intercepting three refrigerated container vans containing tobacco products.
Martin said there has never been an attempt to import cigarettes through refrigerated containers but because of their requirement to place reefers through 100 percent x-ray scanning, they were able to detect the illegal shipment.
“Smugglers will always try to find a way to sneak in their illegal goods. They are getting more and more innovative with time. But because of our strict crackdown on illegal shipments, we were able to nab them,” she said. The apprehension was part of BOC Port of Subic’s P299,982,143.28 haul for smuggled cigarettes this year.
On the issue of agricultural smuggling, the BOC admitted that there have been more attempts to sneak in misdeclared agricultural products these past two years, owing mainly to the Covid-19 pandemic which has affected businesses greatly.
However, strict monitoring and coordination with Freeport authorities, other law enforcement agencies, affiliated government agencies, as well as partnerships with agriculture stakeholders have helped the bureau intercept P238,714,940.00 worth of illegally imported goods which would have flooded the market to the detriment of local farmers this year. Consignees found in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act have immediately been referred to the BATAS for the filing of criminal charges.
“We welcome the probe from the House of Representatives on these issues because we believe that they will see that we are very transparent,” Martin said.
“Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are truthfully doing our jobs in facilitating trade without sacrificing enforcement, manning our ports, strictly protecting our borders, and continuing to collect rightful revenue for our country and our people. We remain vigilant and we are working together with other agencies to fulfil our mandate. Our performance will speak for itself,” she added.