Councilor wants council, media to witness van opening

DAVAO City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang is requesting the Bureau of Customs (BOC) that council members and the media be present when the 40 container vans allegedly containing misdeclared goods will be opened.

The letter sent on Monday was addressed to BOC Port of Davao District Collector Anju Nereo Castigador, Dayanghirang said Tuesday in a phone interview.

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Dayanghirang said this move remains under the City Council's power as they are merely responding to a complaint received earlier by the committee on public safety, and peace and order chaired of Councilor Nilo Abellera.

"We are only responding to the letter sent to us by the Acquarius Container Yard (ACY) owner Rodolfo Reta regarding misdeclaration of good and irregularities happening inside the port area and inside (Reta's) container yard when the container vans were still inside his yard," Dayanghirang said.

Asked what BOC gave in reaction, Dayanghirang said "they have been very receptive."

Last Monday, Dayanghirang, Abellera, and Councilors Leonardo Avila, Samuel Bangoy, Susabel Reta, and Pilar Braga visited the BOC office stemming from a complaint they received from ACY owner Reta.

Dayanghirang in a privilege speech last session delivered the series of events, which led to the BOC issue "being a matter of public interest and a matter of in dire need of transparency."

"There's nothing wrong with the request. Anyway that's all we want, transparency," Dayanghirang said.

Currently, the questioned container vans are at the Sasa Wharf area upon the order of the court.