Warrant issued vs ship, rice worth P123 million

The Bureau of Customs Cebu has issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the Vietnam-registered vessel, MV Quang Ming, and the 3,080 metric tons of rice shipment in it.

BOC-Cebu district collector Elvira Cruz issued the warrant last May 19, 2017.

Mandy Anderson, BOC spokesperson, told The FREEMAN last night that the 61,600 bags of rice cost P123 million, based on official estimate.

The shipment is reportedly consigned to a shipping company owned by a politician.

Based on the copy of the WSD obtained by The FREEMAN, BOC received a notice of the vessel’s arrival on April 6. The notice said the vessel will arrive on April 10.

On April 11, Nicolas Leyson, Jr., ship agent representative submitted a notice to BOC-Port of Cebu to advise that the vessel's arrival would be delayed due to engine trouble.

However, a military intelligence operative came across the vessel off Talisay City near Minglanilla town. The operative said it was found out that the vessel had no notice of arrival and no boarding formalities were done.

An agent of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation ServiceCebu tasked to verify the report confirmed the unauthorized presence of the vessel.

Cruz said further investigation revealed that the vessel does not have any document to justify its presence in Cebu.

Because of this, CIIS - Cebu chief Vernie Enciso recommended that Cruz issue the WSD against the vessel for violating Section 113 of the Customs Modernization Act.

Cruz also said she found probable cause to issue the WSD.