Company files complaint against Customs officer

An officer of the Bureau of Customs-7 is facing corruption charges before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

The complainant, Racal Motor Assembly (Phils.) Corporation, alleged that Verlito Ajos, customs operations officer of the Office of the Examination and Assessment Division, violated Republic Act (RA) 3019 or anti-graft and corrupt practices act, RA 9485 or anti-red tape act, and RA 6713 or code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.

In its complaint, Racal Motor Assembly said it is a registered and accredited participant of the Board of Investments Motor Vehicle Development Program (BOIMVDP).

The complainant said that as a participant of the board, it has the right to import component knock down (CKD) parts for assembly of brand-new motorcycles at a reduced rate.

However, the complainant alleged that despite submitting the necessary documents to Ajos, who was the assigned examiner, he refused to make findings on the importation.

“…despite authentic papers and repeated pleading for entry clearance, Ajos continuously refused to act, not until his demand for conversion to cash of the sum total of the difference in customs duties, taxes, and fees of the questioned shipment, plus those of previous importation similarly situated, inclusive of 200 percent surcharge shall be meet, and from where 60 percent/40 percent compromise,” the complaint reads.

Racal Motor Assembly alleged that Ajos is “guilty of bad faith and malice.”

The complainant claimed that because of Ajos’ actuation, it suffered damages due to delays in the use of imported articles used for productions, storage charges and demurrage totaling P1,282,910.17.

Ajos denied the allegations filed against him, saying the imported 366 cartons of CKD parts placed in a 40footer container van were already released a long time ago.

He said he will appear before the Office of the Ombudsman today for a conference.

Aside from the Office of the Ombudsman, Racal Motor Assembly also lodged a complaint against Ajos before the Bureau of Customs.