Smuggling rap filed vs rice firm linked to Bangayan
Davidson Bangayan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines–A firm linked to suspected rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan or David Tan was slapped with a smuggling complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday for the questionable importation of over 5,400 metric tons or about 5.4 million kilograms of rice from Thailand in 2013.
Facing a complaint for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and the National Grains Industry Development Act are Intercontinental Grains International Trading’s proprietor, Edgar F. Salvador, and the firm’s responsible officers were named as respondents in the complaint, namely Reginald V. Sihiyon, president and chairperson of the Board of Directors (BOD); Ruperto P. Guilaran, corporate secretary and member of the BOD; Zarian P. Lanzar, treasurer and member of the BOD; Emma V. Dequilla, member of the BOD; and Apolonio L. Magno, member of the BOD.
The firm’s licensed customs brokers, Baltazar R. Ramirez and Ailene D. Rejuso, were also included in the complaint.
“Nagpasok ito ng bigas na walang import permit from NFA (National Food Authority). Paulit ulit namin sinasabi na kapag walang import permit, smuggling yan,” Customs Chief John “Sunny” Sevilla said.
The shipment arrived in two separate occasions at the Port of Manila in September, 2013 and the Manila International Container Port in October of the same year.
The shipment of 675,000 kgs of rice that arrived in September 2013 had an estimated market value of P27 million, and dutiable value of P10.3 million. The second shipment that arrived in October, 2013 is 4.75 million kgs of rice with an estimated market value of P190 million, and dutiable value of P66.6 million. Both shipments came from Thailand.
Sevilla said the subject shipment is equivalent to local produce from 2,170 hectares of rice lands in the Philippines.
“The fact that Intercontinental Grains did not bother to file a permit with the NFA and ignored the quota it was allotted signifies bad faith and a gross disregard for our laws. These import volumes are regulated to ensure fair trade and an even playing field for our local rice industry, which firms like Intercontinental Grains ignored to the detriment of our farmers,” Sevilla said.
Customs record showed that Intercontinental Grains International Trading was one of 2013’s biggest rice importers with total imports of 26,175 metric tons. It is also the third rice importing firm linked to Bangayan to be slapped with a smuggling complaint, the other firms are Bold Bidder and Silent Royalty.
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