The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has affirmed that it complied with proper destruction requirements set forth under its rules and regulations, addressing the issue raised by the Federation of Philippine Industries Inc. (FPI) that the contraband steel angle bars seized by the bureau were not properly disposed of.
According to the BOC, it has complied with the destruction requirements under the customs law, and that the seized substandard steel products will not find their way into the domestic market.
“In response to the issue raised by the FPI regarding alleged irregularities in the destruction of seized contraband angle bars, the BOC, through the Port of Manila’s Auction and Cargo Disposal Division [ACDD], affirms that it complied with the destruction requirements as set forth under relevant customs laws, rules and procedures, ensuring that, ultimately, the substandard steel products are disposed of accordingly,” the BOC said in a statement.
In earlier reports, the FPI alerted Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon on the irregularities in the process of destroying the contraband angle bars, triggering fears among local manufacturers that the substandard steel products could end up in the market.
In a letter sent to Faeldon, FPI Chairman Jesus L. Arranza raised these concerns regarding the destruction of some 320,100 kilograms of confiscated angle bars: the lack of a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representative, as specified in its Notice of Public Auction; the official weighing ticket provided by the Asian Terminals Inc. was handwritten, instead of computerized; the destruction of the angle bars took longer than what was mandate; and that the Steel Angles, Shapes and Sections Manufacturers Association of the Philippines Inc. was not notified of the destruction of the seized steel bars.
Lawyer Oscar Villalva, ACDD acting chief of the Port of Manila, explained the notices of the destruction were sent to the DTI and Commission on Audit several times. The ACDD added that it cannot delay the destruction of the angle bars, even if external entities remain unresponsive to the notices they sent.
“The weighing machine used was provided by Asian Terminals Inc., but while results were handwritten, the same reflected the values as shown in the machine. And the scrap metals also took a longer time to undergo destruction, because acetylene was used, instead of cutting machines,” the BOC added.
Lawyer Mandy M. Anderson, the BOC’s chief of staff and spokesman, assured the public that the bureau will further investigate the matter. “The question on whether there had been irregularities on the destruction of the angle bars will be investigated. We assure the public that proper procedures will be followed. Should there be any irregularities found, those involved will be dealt with severely,” Anderson said.