Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Local officials can’t intervene in smuggling
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña bristled over the words of an anti-smuggling official, who said during a recent Lower House inquiry that six Cebu-based smugglers enjoy the protection of government officials.
Osmeña said that neither he nor Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia have control over the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and therefore could not intercede for the smugglers.
“As if we are in a position to intervene (for the smugglers). When they say (Cebu) government officials, of course the first thing to come to my mind is me,” he said when asked to comment on Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr.’s statements during the House inquiry two weeks ago.
Villar heads the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group.
Accused
In a press conference yesterday, Osmeña said all importers are being accused of smuggling, as they would always “try to bring in as cheaply as possible” whatever items they bring into the country.
But he said smugglers can operate in other ports, or those outside Cebu.
“There are many of these big-time smugglers who can operate in any port because of their connections in Manila,” the mayor said.
Last April 24, Villar submitted to the House of Representatives’ committee on good government a list of the suspected smugglers.
Committee Chairman Pedro Romualdo, however, withheld the names and said they will not be disclosed until they are formally charged in court.
No direct evidence
The PASG said it is already building up the case against the six smugglers.
“We don’t have any direct evidence, your honor, but we are receiving reports that some government officials are protecting smugglers,” Villar said in reply to Rep. Pablo John Garcia’s (Cebu, third) question.
Villar had said that those in the list have invested heavily in the illegal trade and have consigned their shipments to dummies and fictitious names to avoid detection and prosecution.
The PASG charged in court only 11 BOC personnel, two Land Transportation Office (LTO) officials and 16 private individuals who were found to be in cahoots with smugglers.
Villar said the six individuals in his list are responsible for sneaking into the country sports utility vehicles.
The top smuggled items, he said, are vehicles, plastic resins, steel, general merchandise and oil. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 7, 2008 issue)
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