‘Unfounded report’: BOC-6 denies entry of smuggled rice in Iloilo City

The reported unloading of smuggled rice at the Port of Iloilo was “unfounded,” according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Collection District VI.

In a press conference, Acting Deputy Collector for Operations Noli P. Santua, Jr. vehemently denied that about 38,400 metric tons (MT) of rice from Vietnam entered Iloilo City.

The Manila Times reported that the rice shipment arrived in 10 ships between August 4 and 13, 2022. “As of Thursday afternoon, seven ships have unloaded their cargo, while the three others were waiting their turn to dock.”

The report identified six of the vessels as MV Hai Ha 58 with 3,800 MT of rice consigned to Kingfields Rice Solutions, Inc.; MV Hoa Binh 54 with 4,800 MT consigned to Farmint Corp.; MV Hai Dong 168 with 400 MT consigned to Marolao Gen. Mdse. and RLO Farm, and another 2,000 MT consigned to Pro Success Trading Corp.; MV Royal 18 with 3,800 MT consigned to Kingsfield Rice Solutions Inc.; MV Hai Ha 58 with 3,800 MT, of which 152,000 bags were in 25-kilogram per pack also consigned to Kingsfield Rice Solutions, Inc.; and MV Hoa Binh 54 with 4,800 MT consigned to Farmint Corp.

“The alleged smuggled rice shipments on board MV Hai Ha 58, MV HOA BINH 54, and MV Hai Dang 168 were covered with clearances and permits issued by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry,” Santua said.

According to him, the importers of the rice complied with Republic Act No. 11203 or An Act Liberalizing the Importation, Exportation and Trading of Rice, Lifting for the Purpose the Quantitative Import Restriction on Rice, and For Other Purposes.

As to MV Royal 18 which arrived at the Port of Iloilo last Aug. 14, 2022, Santua noted that the Goods Declaration of the rice shipment loaded on board the said vessel has been lodged at the Customs elm System while the vessel is currently at the anchorage area of the port awaiting for berthing space.

Santua said the report intends to malign the good image of the BOC- Port of Iloilo considering that no history of rice smuggling has been recorded at this port.

“We were all surprised by the report because ever since diri sa port of Iloilo wala kita rice smuggling and on our part, we will never permit such activity to occur here in our port.”