By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
“Absolutely rampant.” In those two words, President Bongbong has given his most eloquent description of smuggling in the country within the realm of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
How he could have said that five months after appointing his own customs chief in Yogi Ruiz proves that the man on the job still needs to do more.
Shamefully, the first sector hit by rampant smuggling is agriculture — the very department of government led by Marcos himself. For a double-slap, the ones behind the large-scale smuggling of agricultural products are a mafia of Chinese nationals, according to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda.
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Salceda is not the only voice in Congress growing more impatient with the BOC’s failure at gatekeeping against contraband.
Last Monday, Sultan Kudarat 2nd District Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr. made public a list of names he wants to be called to a congressional hearing over alleged involvement in smuggling: Michael Ma, Lujene Ang, Andrew Chang, Beverly Peres, one “Aaron,” Manuel Tan, Leah Cruz, Jun Diamante, Lucio Lim, and Gerry Teves.
Suansing also name-dropped the following consignees of misdeclared or undeclared agricultural products: Victory JM Enterprises, Taculog International Consumer Goods Trading, Asterzenmed Aggregates, Veneta Consumer Goods Trading, Lalavy Aggregates Trading, Frankie Trading Enterprises, Primex Export – Import Producer, SB Express Logistics Business Solution, Silver Pop Dry Goods Trading, Thousand Sunny Enterprises, Viogelas Viol Aggregates Trading, Junezone Dry Goods Trading, Burias Jang Consumer Goods Trading.
He also mentioned an importer named PilSHON Corporation.
They must be looked into.
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The BOC is suspect for not volunteering any names of smugglers who should well be on its intelligence radar.
At a recent Senate hearing, Customs Special agent Anthony Escandor was asked point-blank by Sen. Raffy Tulfo about oil smugglers.
Tulfo says: “Do you know Don Rabonza of Navotas? Those from Batangas and Sariaya, do you know Sonny Quiu, Jackie Chu, Aron Uy, Lindon Tan? Those from Mariveles Bataan, do you know Alex Chua, Bogs Violago, Jong Mangundadatu, Dondon Alahas? This is the list of big-time oil smugglers.”
The inability of the BOC to identify any one of them is a display of ignorance at best or protection at worst.
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Lately, someone has been losing sleep that no majestic bed in Malacanang could remedy. By his own admission, Marcos said the West Philippine Sea has been keeping him up at night.
After using his state visit to China to make it clear to Xi Jinping that Filipino fishermen must be able to venture freely into waters within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ), we receive new reports of harassment by Chinese Coast Guard vessels in Ayungin Shoal.
While in Beijing, Marcos also underscored how energy sources from the WPS are critical to his administration’s drive towards economic recovery and stability and that it is willing to negotiate joint exploration with China.
And in realizing such, maybe, convince the world that maritime disputes in the South China Sea are manageable enough for trade, security, and cooperation to thrive among concerned nations.
But China’s bullying tactics and doublespeak are scratching away at its integrity as a superpower.
Marcos — who is, at least, unlike his predecessor in diplomatic candor and foreign policy — does not have to put up with so many sleepless nights. The nation that voted for him is not one to take this sitting down.
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SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View. Read current and past issues of this column at https://www.thephilbiznews.com
