News updateBoC to file charges vs owner of seized yachts

MANILA, Philippines -- The Bureau of Customs (BoC) is set to file smuggling charges against the reported owner of two pleasure yachts that were allegedly brought into the country illegally from the United States.

According to Attorney Juito Doria, BoC-Certificate of Payment Centralized Clearing Center (CPCCC) chief, the BoC will file smuggling raps against Restie Bicomong, who is said to be the owner of the "Pleasure Yacht RDB" and "Pleasure Yacht VZR." The vessels are reportedly worth P20 million each.

The case would be filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the bureau’s Run After the Smugglers Program (RATS) since it appeared that there was no payment of import tax.

Earlier, the BoC issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the vessels, each weighing 12-gross tons.

“Since last May, we have already received initial information on the yachts. We could not believe that they were locally built,” said Doria.

The vessels were confiscated by joint elements of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the BoC at 11:30 a.m. of July 8 at the bay side of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Customs personnel were able to talk to Bicomong when they seized the ships last week, but they did not apprehend him at that time since he reportedly denied being the owner. BoC-Enforcement Security Service (ESS) director Nestorio Gualberto said that they initially checked on the background of Bicomong, but they did not find any derogatory record on him.

Gualberto has already given instructions to verify if the company Bendice Transportation Management, Inc., whose office is said to be located at Orchid Tower Oriental Gardens, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, really exists.

They would also check if Bicomong is connected the Bendice. The names of both entities appeared in the Certificate of Ownership issued by the Maritime Industry Authority.

As for the two yachts, BoC-Deputy Commissioner Horacio Suansing Jr., who heads the Enforcement Group, said that forfeiture proceedings would be conducted at the Port of Manila (PoM). Once the vessels are forfeited in favor of the government, it would be decided if they would be auctioned or given to the PCG in the conduct of maritime patrol or for search and rescue missions.

PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo is hoping that the vessels would be turned over to them because they are faster than any of their existing vessels and it can be useful in the conduct of search and rescue mission. Each vessel is equipped with three units of 250 horsepower Yamaha engines or a combined 750 horsepower.

“The vessels would also come in handy in seakeeping during rough weather,” Tamayo added. - By Evelyn Macairan