Duterte, BOC to destroy McLaren, other seized cars

President Duterte is witnessing the destruction of 30 smuggled luxury cars, including a McLaren worth around $265,500 (P13.3 million), during the 116th anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday.

The President earlier announced that the BOC would be destroying the vehicles as a deterrent to smuggling.

Sources said nine of the cars were seized at the Port of Manila (POM), two at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), nine at the Port of Subic, seven at the Port of Davao and three at the

Port of Cebu.

The “hot cars” seized from POM, MICP and Subic would be gathered and condemned in one site, while those in Davao and Cebu would be destroyed simultaneously in their respective areas.

All vehicles are classified as “used” except for three brand new vehicles, namely two units of Toyota and one Mercedes Benz that were all impounded at the Davao port.

Among those to be crushed by a bulldozer are 10 BMW and Mercedes Benz cars, a Lexus, Corvette Stingray, Ford Explorer Base 3.5L, Jaguar Type S, Audi S5 and a 2012 Jeep Wrangler.

Duterte’s approach in dealing with smuggled vehicles differs from the previous practice of auctioning them off.

While the government is bent on raising revenues to finance its projects, Duterte said he would not allow the auction of these vehicles.

In the past, smugglers used fake consignees to illegally bring in vehicles, then turn around and purchase the cars at auction.

EDD GUMBAN A McLaren sports car is seen inside a shipping container at a Manila port after over a dozen luxury vehicles were seized by the Bureau of Customs for undervaluation last year.