P20M ‘HOT’ RICE IN CEBU?

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña is expected in Cebu tomorrow to lead the opening of 9 out of 71 cargo containers that bureau officials believe hold smuggled rice from China. Eight alert orders have been issued.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu will open nine of 71 cargo containers believed to contain smuggled rice from China tomorrow.

The shipment was declared “ceramic tiles” but initial X-ray inspection showed that the containers hold rice worth P20 million.

Under the law, rice importers must secure an importation permit from the National Food Authority. The National Food Council must also issue a minimum access volume as proof that the country needs to import rice.

BOC Port of Cebu Collector Wivina Pumatong said that one of the two consignees is Seven Myth Marketing in Ermita, Manila and the other is Rainbow Horizon Enterprise in Binondo, Manila.

BOC Cebu officials said that rice smuggling can be considered as large-scale agricultural smuggling in violation of Republic Act 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. The violation carries life imprisonment.

The case qualifies for economic sabotage because the minimum amount involved is P10 million.

The customs broker is identified as Mary Faith Duran Miro of Argao, Cebu. However, Pumatong said she is wondering why Seven Myth and Rainbow Horizon chose Cebu as port of entry when they are based in Manila.

Pumatong said the shipment arrived separately in Cebu on Nov. 27, 29 and 30 and Dec. 3 on board mv Macau Trader, mv Kota Jaya, mv Lobovia, mv AS Ragna and mv Chattanoga, respectively.

The misdeclaration will lead to the forfeiture of the rice in favor of the government. The BOC Port of Cebu can dispose of it through public auction.

Last month, P20 million worth of smuggled potatoes and carrots, which were misdeclared as apples, were also forfeited in favor of the government.

Pumatong said apples have zero tariff while duties and taxes have to be paid for potatoes and carrots.