MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed smuggling charges against the Manila South Harbor's port operator, its corporate officials and several customs brokers for the alleged illegal release of 105 containers worth a "dutiable value" of P69.68 million.

The case against Asian Terminals Incorporated’s (ATI) assistant vice president for South Harbor Operations Steve Realuyo and shift manager Darwin Dalmacio was filed before the Department of Justice on April 6, with the BOC citing standing alert orders on the shipments.

“We will make sure that importers, brokers and arrastre operators who blatantly violated Customs rules and regulations will face legal action and revocation of Customs accreditation. The BOC shall remain vigilant and will continue to carry on the fight against those who disrespect and disregard the rule of law," said BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña in a statement.

The BOC said the same charges were filed against owners, officials and customs brokers of Premiere Oak Lumber & Wood Products Corporation, Spectrum Highlands Marketing Corporation, Megaabundancesteel Indent Trading Corporation, Abundancegain Indent Trading Corporation, Paragon Platinum International Trading Corporation and Imperialfoods and Agricultural Prod.

The bureau did not reveal the contents of the containers.

Charged were the following:

Premiere Oak Lumber & Wood Products Corporation:
Juden Eslao, President
Gerly Ebias, Director
Severino Aycocho, Director
Meldy Sayon, Treasurer

Spectrum Highlands Marketing Corporation:
Rhea Tolosa, President
Meldy Sayon, Director
Customs Broker Mohammad Salman Cosain Amerol

Megaabundancesteel Indent Trading Corporation:
Erin Jorge Sumile, President
Mark Leo Magpayo, Vice-President
Arwind Jay Caparros, Director
Leonard Sucaldito, Director

Abundancegain Indent Trading Corporation:
Abraham Torrecampo, President
Allan Cajuban, Vice-President
Jake Tordesillas, Director
Mark Leo Magpayo, Treasurer

Paragon Platinum International Trading Corporation:
Erin Jorge Sumile, Corporate Secretary/Operations

Imperialfoods and Agricultural Prod:
Bernardo Lu Chong, President
William Tan, Treasurer
Emerson Tan, Director
Alexander Lao, Directors

Customs brokers:
Homaidi Sarip Ibrahim
Mohammad Salman Cosain Amerol
Malik Nooman Regaro Molok
Bernadine Miranda

The BOC chief said the alerted shipments did not undergo examination before release, as required under protocol.

“In the case of the 105 containers, the examinations were not conducted as the officers of the six corporations, with the assistance of their customs brokers and ATI, all connived to secure the release of the containers from the ATI premises without the necessary examination,” Lapeña said.

ATI released the containers without the required lifting order authorized by the Customs Commissioner, the BOC said.

The BOC said this violates Sections 1401 (Unlawful Importation or Exportation) and 1424 (Removing Goods from Customs Custody) of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016.

Lapeña also added that BOC personnel proven to be connected with the incident will be charged.