Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Annie Perez

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774405835936Screen Shot 2026-03-25 at 10.27.14 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The boxes, sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from various countries, were reportedly paid for but never delivered by freight forwarding companies. <em>Annie Perez</em><br/></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>CEBU CITY — The Bureau of Customs, in coordination with the Department of Finance, has started returning thousands of abandoned balikbayan boxes to their rightful recipients in Cebu.</p><p>The boxes, sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from various countries, were reportedly paid for but never delivered by freight forwarding companies.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/12/19/up-to-130k-abandoned-balikbayan-boxes-to-be-delivered-by-boc-for-free-1241">Up to 130k &#x27;abandoned&#x27; balikbayan boxes to be delivered by BOC for free</a></div><p>Authorities said a total of 8,475 abandoned boxes in Cebu have been accounted for, with 498 more set for delivery.</p><p>Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said cases are now being prepared against 11 freight forwarders accused of failing to deliver the packages. </p><p>The affected OFWs reportedly paid nearly P330 million for the shipments.</p><p>“Binuo namin sa National Bureau of Investigation ang mga dokumento at ebidensya sa mga kasong isasampa natin sa paniniwala na pag nademanda natin sila marahil hindi na sila manloko sa ating mga OFWs,” said Nepomuceno.</p><p>He added that the companies’ modus operandi involves offering low-cost services through online advertisements to lure customers.</p><p>DOF Secretary Frederick Go said the government is determined to put a stop to such schemes.</p><p>“Para matigil natin at ang mga may interes na manloko sa ating taong bayan,” added Go.</p><p>The individuals behind the freight forwarding firms may face charges of large-scale estafa and violations of the anti-cyber crime law.</p><p>“Niloko nila ang mga kababayan natin, krimen ’yon,” Nepomuceno said.</p><p>Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude after finally receiving the long-delayed packages.</p><p>“Salamat na dumating ito na safe ang aming mga package,” said recipient Robert Imboc De Rosas.</p><p>Both the BOC and DOF vowed to intensify their crackdown on illegal freight forwarders to protect OFWs and ensure their hard-earned packages reach their families.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DGGHV6_47ns?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tB1Kymz-P-8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Authorities said a total of 8,475 abandoned boxes in Cebu have been accounted for, with 498 more set for delivery.</p>

Authorities said a total of 8,475 abandoned boxes in Cebu have been accounted for, with 498 more set for delivery.

Abandoned balikbayan boxes return to families in Cebu

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Abandoned balikbayan boxes return to families in Cebu

Annie Perez

Published March 25, 2026 10:36 AM PHT

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OFWs

balikbayan

bureau of customs

department of finance

cebu

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