Thursday, January 25, 2007 Coast Guard identifies owner of seized used clothing By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE Philippine Coast Guard-Davao has identified the owner and consignee of the P2 to 3 million worth of used clothing loaded in two container vans that were seized two weeks ago.
Philippine Coast Guard Southeastern Mindanao chief Edmund Tan identified the owner of the shipment as one Mr. Ju, a Korean businessman from Cebu City.
Tan said the supposed consignee of the used clothing commonly known as "ukay-ukay" here in Davao City is another Korean businessman identified only as Mr. Park.
Tan divulged the businessmen's identities after rumors came out that the seized ukay-ukay is actually owned by a politician in the city.
The shipment arrived on January 5, onboard MV Lorcon Visayas of the Lorenzo Shipping from the port of Cebu. Upon arrival, the Coast Guard asked the shipping company to withhold the cargo until further notice.
Part of the protocol of embargoed cargo is to inform and summon the owner of the cargo.
In this case, the owner was given a week to show up at the Coast Guard office, but failed to do so. This prompted Commander Noli Casiano, station commander of the Coast Guard Station in Davao, to open the cargo.
The cargo was pried open Tuesday last week by the Coast Guard, Lorenzo Shipping representatives, Philippine Port Authority officials, and barangay officials.
The smuggling of "ukay-ukay" is in direct violation of Republic Act 4653, which prohibits the importation and distribution of used clothing. Ukay-ukay, however, proliferates all over the country and confiscations come far and between.
Under RA 4653, aside from the owner of the cargo, the shipping line that was used is also liable, as it was used as transit for the prohibited materials.
However, it will be the Bureau of Customs that will determine the involvement of the shipping company and what possible charges could be filed against it.
The manifesto only indicated that the container vans were filled with scrap plastic and empty bottles.
The shipment, allegedly, came from another country. Confiscated used clothing or "ukay-ukay" is usually turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
