The Bureau of Customs-Port of Iloilo seized 478 bales of used clothing, worth around P4.5 million, from a storage facility in Jaro, Iloilo City last week.
The BOC said in a press release yesterday that a composite team led by Port of Iloilo Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Field Station chief, IO1 Lot Abordo, in coordination with the Enforcement and Security Service Customs Police Division, Customs Border Protection District VI, and barangay officials inspected the warehouse facility, through a Letter of Authority issued by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, and discovered bales and sacks of imported secondhand goods or “ukay-ukay”.
Customs examiners Jessie Nallos, Danielle Marie Saludares, and Liane Galeno conducted the inventory of the seized goods, witnessed by the port’s CIIS and ESS-CPD personnel, the press release said.
A warrant of seizure and detention has been issued against the apprehended items for violation of Section 118 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in relation to RA 4653 that bans the importation of used clothing in commercial quantity to protect the health of the people.
BOC-Port of Iloilo, under district collector Ciriaco Ugay, is committed to carrying out the mandate of the Bureau to intensify border protection and control against the entry of prohibited goods in the country, the press release added.*
