Assorted firecrackers seized in Misamis Oriental port
TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental – With a little over a month before Christmas, the Bureau of Customs (BOC-10) has intensified its campaign against the illegal importation of electronics and firecrackers, cracking down on a large shipment from China, which here at the port of Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
In anticipation of the huge demand for firecrackers during the Yuletide season, BOC Deputy Commissioner Jessie D. Dellosa issued an “Alert Order” last October 13 for the bureau's personnel to be on the lookout for illegal shipment of electronic merchandise and firecrackers.
On Friday, intelligence personnel intercepted a container van containing assorted firecrackers worth 800,000.
Alvin Enciso, BOC intelligence officer II, said the shipment was declared by consignee, Spherebox Marketing, to be General Merchandise, purportedly consisting of sanitary napkin, tissue paper, rubber mat, floor mat and toys.
"Upon examination, said shipment revealed a large number of fireworks, which is in violation to Section 2530 (f and e); and, so, I have requested for 100 percent examination for proper inventory and subsequent issuance of warrant of seizure and detention," Enciso told Manila Bulletin.
Enciso said the shipment arrived at the port in Tagoloan town on October 5 via M/V Sicilia from China and was supposed to be delivered to Spherebox Marketing at its office address at 3963 Street, James San Lucas Extension, Barangay Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City.
“Normally, the BOC opens only 10percent of the entire cargo, but since Dellosa was suspicious of the shipment, we suggested to the examiner on-duty to dig deeper,” said Enciso.
The BOC-10 is trying to hasten the examination of other container vans so that necessary action for “seizure and forfeiture” order will be issued for the contraband items to be dispose early.
“It has to be disposed early as the cargoes are considered highly explosive materials,” said Enciso, adding, the shipment poses a threat to the port for its being highly explosive.
After confirming the container van to be firecrackers, BOC-10 coordinated with the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire and Protection on the proper disposition of the explosive cargoes.