Customs files smuggling case vs rice importer

MANILA - The Customs bureau has filed a smuggling case against the San Carlos multi-purpose cooperative for illegal importation of rice. Customs Commissioner Sunny Sevilla said the cooperative misdeclared the quantity and source country of its rice imports. In its declaration, the cooperative said the rice shipment was from Thailand when the actual source was Vietnam. Only the National Food Authority is allowed to import rice from Vietnam. "Gusto kong ipaalam sa lahat na bawal mag-import ang private sector from Vietnam. Ang NFA lang po ang pwedeng mag-import," Sevilla said. "We will win the battle against smuggling case by case... import by import, smuggler by smuggler, wala po choice kundi isa isahin lahat." Sevilla also said the bureau has yet to file a case against alleged rice smuggling king Davidson Bangayan because the probe is ongoing. ANC, February 6, 2014