More than P1 billion worth of smuggled rice from Vietnam was unloaded in Iloilo City, according to a report published in The Manila Times on Friday, August 18.
“A highly reliable source at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) told The Manila Times that the rice shipment arrived in 10 ships,” the report said.
The shipment of about 38,400 metric tons (MT) of rice “had the blessings of top Customs officials,” the source claimed.
The ships “arrived at the Port of Iloilo between August 4 and 13.”
“As of Thursday afternoon (Aug. 18), seven ships have unloaded their cargo, while the three others were waiting their turn to dock,” the report said.
In an official statement, BOC said they are investigating the reported unloading of smuggled rice in the city.
“We are still awaiting the official report on the matter from the Port of Iloilo. Coordination has been made with various public and private organizations involved in the inspection of shipments, such as the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture; Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS), the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company; and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement/ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme,” Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said.IMT
