Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 24) — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has relieved six officials of the Port of Subic pending investigation into the alleged smuggling of sugar at the port, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) announced on Wednesday.
Citing an Aug. 22 order signed by acting BOC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, the OPS said the officials have been temporarily transferred to the Office of the Commissioner while awaiting the results of the inquiry.
The six named are Maritess Theodossis Martin, district collector; Maita Sering Acevedo, deputy collector for assessment; Giovanni Ferdinand Aguillon Leynes, deputy collector for operations; Belinda Fernando Lim, chief of assessment division; Vincent Mark Solamin Malasmas, enforcement security service commander; and Justice Roman Silvoza Geli, Customs intelligence and investigation service supervisor.
Authorities reported that last Aug. 18, there was an attempt at the Subic port to smuggle around 140,000 bags — or 7,021 metric tons — of imported white refined sugar from Thailand. The estimated value was ₱45.62 million.
An initial probe by the bureau showed that the import permit used for the cargo was recycled.
“The recall of officials from the Bureau of Customs-Port of Subic is standard procedure while an investigation is being conducted,” Ruiz said in a statement.
He added the BOC will not give further comments until after the probe is completed.
The bureau also conducted a series of raids of sugar warehouses in Luzon for alleged hoarding in recent days. This came amid reports of shortage of the commodity, resulting in a spike in sugar prices.
Last week, 44,000 sacks of imported sugar worth ₱220 million were seized in Pampanga and Bulacan. In a separate operation over the weekend, at least 60,000 bags of suspected hoarded sugar were also found in four warehouses in Bulacan.
Malacañang earlier said the discovery of the huge volumes of sugar shows the shortage in the country is artificial, brought about by the hoarding of traders who want to rake in profits.
