MANILA: Nearly a hundred suspected smugglers were identified in a list compiled by the Bureau of Customs, a report from GMA’s “24 Oras” said Wednesday.
Some of the alleged smugglers were identified as relatives of politicians, government officials and media personnel. But their names were not yet revealed as there is an ongoing investigation.
According to a GMA News source, the individuals on the list used money and influence to bribe customs officials into letting questionable items pass through the Bureau.
The number of container vans that each individual on the list allegedly smuggled into the country were listed on the BoC’s shipment report from the period of October 2014 to February 2015.
This list also included the names of the brokers and consignees for each individual. However, authorities said it would be difficult to prove the involvement of the alleged smugglers since they do not sign on any documents.
Another source also said these individuals would only pay P60,000 to P80,000 for the taxes and duties of each container even when the standard rate was P120,000.
The gap between what they paid for each container and its standard rate would then be used as bribe money for customs officials.
The source said that as an example, 16,178 containers were smuggled by the individuals in January 2015.
This means that the total amount of bribery money on that month alone was at least P161.7 million if P10,000 was used as basis for each bribery.
BoC Dep. Comm. Atty. Agaton Uvero admitted that there is still corruption in the Bureau but said it has been drastically reduced.
“Makikita mo naman pag pumunta ka dito ng Biyernes hindi na fiesta atmosphere. ‘Yung mga hindi nakakaalam yun ang nababalitang sharing of blessings sa Bureau na tinatawag na Tara system sa labas,” Uvero said.
The list has been sent to the Department of Finance for a probe on the allegations.
