MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry has warned consumers against “bogus” foreign sea freight forwarders and their corresponding Philippine agents, which are now facing criminal and administrative charges.
In a statement, the DTI identified these foreign companies and their local partners as Philbox Direct Ltd. in United Kingdom and Springer International; Al Rodah Marine Cargo in United Arab Emirates and D’ Winner Logistics Phils. Inc.; Kabalen Fowarders in Saudi Arabia; and ADC Spedition Services.
“We have received numerous complaints against them for not delivering cargoes to their rightful owners. We found out that two of them are operating illegally as freight forwarders and have not been delivering the Balikbayan boxes to their consignees,” said Trade Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba.
“Springer International and D’ Winner Logistics Phils., Inc. are now facing revocation of accreditation with the DTI,” Dimagiba added.
The DTI’s Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) has also cautioned consumers, especially overseas Filipino workers in Germany, against sending Balikbayan boxes through a certain Alexander D. Cunanan who has allegedly been representing ADC Spedition Services.
“After receiving multiple complaints of undelivered balikbayan boxes from overseas Filipinos in Germany, the DTI-PSB has filed a formal charge against ADC Spedition Services for engaging business as freight forwarder without accreditation and for failure to deliver cargoes to their rightful owners,” Dimagiba said.
“The DTI-PSB is currently coordinating with the complainants individually for filing criminal cases of estafa/ swindling against Cunanan/ ADC Spedition Services. Moreover, the DTI has sought the assistance of the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration to place him under the government’s watchlist and to locate his whereabouts,” Dimagiba added.
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