BOC investigates P1.4-billion alleged smuggled ‘POGO luxury vehicles’ | ABS-CBN
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BOC investigates P1.4-billion alleged smuggled ‘POGO luxury vehicles’
BOC investigates P1.4-billion alleged smuggled ‘POGO luxury vehicles’
Andrea Taguines,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 14, 2025 03:15 PM PHT
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Updated Feb 14, 2025 03:23 PM PHT
Courtesy: BOC
Courtesy: BOCMANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday temporarily took custody of more than 30 luxury vehicles worth P1.4 billion that were allegedly smuggled into the Philippines.
MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday temporarily took custody of more than 30 luxury vehicles worth P1.4 billion that were allegedly smuggled into the Philippines.
A week after receiving a tip on the sale of such vehicles, operatives of the BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) were able to track them down in two separate warehouses in Pasay and in Parañaque.
A week after receiving a tip on the sale of such vehicles, operatives of the BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) were able to track them down in two separate warehouses in Pasay and in Parañaque.
The most expensive one was a red La Ferrari valued at P250 million with taxes. There were also Lamborghini, Maybach, and Maserati models as well as big luxury vans. Some had plate numbers, others did not.
The most expensive one was a red La Ferrari valued at P250 million with taxes. There were also Lamborghini, Maybach, and Maserati models as well as big luxury vans. Some had plate numbers, others did not.
“Nung nag-serve kami ng letter of authority, may inabutan kami ditong three foreign nationals— 2 babae, isang lalaki na nandito sa office. Yung dalawa is Chinese then yung isang babae Vietnamese” said BOC CIIS Port of Manila Chief Joel Pinawin.
“Nung nag-serve kami ng letter of authority, may inabutan kami ditong three foreign nationals— 2 babae, isang lalaki na nandito sa office. Yung dalawa is Chinese then yung isang babae Vietnamese” said BOC CIIS Port of Manila Chief Joel Pinawin.
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"Hinahanapan namin kahapon ng documentation, walang ma-present na VISA. Hindi rin sila makaintindi ng Tagalog, English," he added.
"Hinahanapan namin kahapon ng documentation, walang ma-present na VISA. Hindi rin sila makaintindi ng Tagalog, English," he added.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, who joined the inspection, said an investigation was underway to confirm if the luxury vehicles were smuggled.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, who joined the inspection, said an investigation was underway to confirm if the luxury vehicles were smuggled.
“They are given 15 days para magpresent ng payment of duties and taxes. Pag meron naman silang maipakitang tamang pinagbayaran ng duties and taxes, well, iki-clear din naman natin,” said Rubio.
“They are given 15 days para magpresent ng payment of duties and taxes. Pag meron naman silang maipakitang tamang pinagbayaran ng duties and taxes, well, iki-clear din naman natin,” said Rubio.
If found without proper documents, they will face charges in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
If found without proper documents, they will face charges in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The BOC will also coordinate with the Land Transportation Office to check the legitimacy of the vehicle registrations and plates.
The BOC will also coordinate with the Land Transportation Office to check the legitimacy of the vehicle registrations and plates.
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POGO CARS?
Pinawin said that based on the info they received, the vehicles could possibly be “POGO cars” or those owned by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
Pinawin said that based on the info they received, the vehicles could possibly be “POGO cars” or those owned by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
“Dahil nag-aalisan nga yung mga POGO, dinidispose na nila yung mga cars nila… Hindi pa kami sigurado,” said Pinawin.
“Dahil nag-aalisan nga yung mga POGO, dinidispose na nila yung mga cars nila… Hindi pa kami sigurado,” said Pinawin.
According to Rubio, the BOC will be conducting more operations of this kind in a bid to curb smuggling.
According to Rubio, the BOC will be conducting more operations of this kind in a bid to curb smuggling.
“Lagi nga pong sinasabi sa amin na baka nakalusot sa amin. Alam niyo po, ang borders natin sa Pilipinas is very porous. Maraming pwedeng daanan. That is why para mapigilan natin yung mga ganyang pagdami ng mga sasakyan na pumasok nang ilegal dito, we are exercising our visitorial powers,” he said.
“Lagi nga pong sinasabi sa amin na baka nakalusot sa amin. Alam niyo po, ang borders natin sa Pilipinas is very porous. Maraming pwedeng daanan. That is why para mapigilan natin yung mga ganyang pagdami ng mga sasakyan na pumasok nang ilegal dito, we are exercising our visitorial powers,” he said.
He stressed that the BOC will also not hesitate to go after their own ranks if they are proven to be involved in smuggling.
He stressed that the BOC will also not hesitate to go after their own ranks if they are proven to be involved in smuggling.
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“If any of the people from the BOC are found to be in cahoots and in connivance with the people who are doing this, wala po tayong sini-sino dyan. We will file cases against them… In the past and currently may mga naiimbestigahan na po kami. May na-suspend na, may mga na-dismiss na rin,” said Rubio.
“If any of the people from the BOC are found to be in cahoots and in connivance with the people who are doing this, wala po tayong sini-sino dyan. We will file cases against them… In the past and currently may mga naiimbestigahan na po kami. May na-suspend na, may mga na-dismiss na rin,” said Rubio.
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