THE Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Davao City on Monday opened a 40-footer container van loaded with P5 million worth of imported firecrackers.
Davao City District Collector Anju Nereo Castigador led the opening in the presence of the police and fire auxiliary at around 2 p.m. Monday at Sasa Wharf.
The 1x40-foot container van was consigned to Staple Chase Enterprises with address at Torres Street, this city. It arrived from China on board MV Iller Trader last November 21.
Castigador says the shipment was declared as cleaning balls plastic craft and flashlight.
However, when it was subjected to BOC X-ray scanning, the Radioactive Monitoring System of the X-Ray scanner indicated the possible presence of pyrotechnics and/or explosives.
Castigador said the BOC is only following City Ordinance 060-02, or the Anti-Firecracker Ordinance, which prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the use of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.
Castigador guarantees the BOC Davao will intercept all prohibited importations, especially those that may endanger the life or limb of Davao City's residents. "We fully support the policy of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte in banning all kinds of pyrotechnics in Davao," he said.
An alert order against the shipment was issued by the Office of the Commissioner for possible violation of Section 101 Prohibited Importations, and 2503, Misdeclaration of Tarrif and Customs Code in relation to Section 2530 thereof.
Castigador said the alert order was issued upon the request of Col. Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, head of the X-Ray Inspection Project, who promptly flew to Davao to witness the examination.
Present during the procedure was Sr. Supt Jose Jorge E. Corpuz, Philippine National Police Office 11 deputy regional director for administration.
Two fire trucks from the Davao City Fire Department were on standby to ensure a safe examination.
The BOC will declare the shipment forfeited in favor of the government and will subsequently turn over the contraband to the PNP for proper disposal. (Jade C. Zaldivar with Gigie A. Agtay)
