FOOD SECURITY BOC orders seizure of Thai rice

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu issued a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) against a Vietnamese vessel docked in Talisay City.

Mv Kung Min, according to BOC Port of Cebu Collector Elvira Cruz, is illegally carrying 3,080 tons of rice from Thailand.

Cruz said she discovered that the ship arrived last month, but it did not go directly to the Cebu International Port (CIP) for inspection by the Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Quarantine.

With the WSD, the BOC will summon the alleged rice consignees, whose names Cruz withheld, for seizure and forfeiture proceedings.

Possible auction

A BOC source said that the shipment's worth is estimated at P200 million.

If the consignees cannot submit evidence to prove the shipment is legal, the BOC will forfeit the rice and the vessel in favor of the government, and will sell these in a public auction.

The Office of the Customs Commissioner recently cleared for release 4,760 metric tons of rice to Pilmico Food Inc. (3,080 metric tons) and Farm Mechanism and Distribution Corp. (1,680) reportedly because these were covered by National Food Authority import permits.

Cruz issued notices to file import entry to Pilmico and Farm Mechanism.

IMPORTED RICE RECENTLY GIVEN GO-AHEAD FOR RELEASE ■ 3,080 metric tons to Pilimico Food Inc. ■ 1,680 metric tons to Farm Mechanism and Distribution Corp.