By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Customs officers seized some PHP366 million worth of luxury vehicles at a warehouse in Makati City.
In a statement Monday, Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) seized the luxury vehicles, including brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren on Valentine’s Day.
This came just a day after the Feb. 13 operation in warehouses in Pasay City and Parañaque City which resulted in the seizure of PHP1.4 billion worth of luxury vehicles.
“The ability of our CIIS officers to conduct these back-to-back operations demonstrates not only their commitment to their mandate but also a new strategy for tackling smuggling. Those involved should understand that our skills and capabilities extend beyond our borders. We will pursue them relentlessly, regardless of how or where they hide their contraband,” he said.
On the other hand, CIIS Director Verne Enciso identified the seller as ACH High-End Motor Service Center, located at No. 489 J.P. Rizal St., Makati City.
The BOC official, together with the Philippine Coast Guard’s Task Force Aduana, visited the location to serve a Letter of Authority (LOA) to the shop owner or representative, to verify the legitimacy of the vehicles’ importation and ensure the correct duties and taxes had been paid.
“I can confirm that our intelligence agents conducted an operation after receiving information regarding this showroom in Makati. We discovered several high-end luxury cars and are currently verifying the importation documents for these vehicles,” Enciso added.
The initial inventory revealed a variety of luxury cars and vehicles, including a Ferrari 488 Spider, Ferrari 812 Superfast, Porsche Targa, Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, BMW M4, Lexus LC500, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, Land Rover Defender, Audi RS Q8, McLaren 720S, Ford Explorer, Li Xiang L7 SUV, Abarth 595 Competizione, MV Agusta Brutale 1000RR motorcycle, and two luxury vans-Toyota Alphard.
The team has temporarily padlocked and sealed the showroom and storage facility for a proper inventory by the assigned Customs examiners in the presence of CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), barangay officials, and storage representatives.
The owners, lessees, lessors, occupants, representatives, or any parties responsible for the warehouse and vehicles found therein have 15 days from the receipt of the LOAs to submit the necessary documents proving that all duties and taxes have been paid correctly.
If they fail to provide valid documentation, they would face charges in violation of Sections 1400 and 1401, in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). (PNA)
