Manila Filed Charges Against Suspected Smugglers
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The Philippine government has filed smuggling charges against a prominent businessman and five others in connection with the failed smuggling of an estimated P90 million of steel bars from China. Charged before the Department of Justice were Jeffrey King, president of Kingson International Trading Corp. and four other Kingson International executives identified as Anthony Joey S. Tan, vice president; Alicia O. Fernandez, import/export manager; Edgardo V. Martinez, director; and Reynaldo V. Cesa, director. Roger M. Permejo of RM Permejo Customs Brokerage was also included in the complaint sheet. Customs Commissioner Napoleon L. Morales said the filing of cases against the six persons were part of the government's Run After the Smugglers (RATS) program. So far, 16 cases has been filed under RATS. Morales said during the filing of the case, "This will showcase the Bureau's determination to curb smuggling, by prosecuting personalities identified as smugglers by the Senate." The smuggling was foiled by alert men under Teodoro Sagaral of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) who braved the height of the storm to recover the shipment in at least two provinces. However, Sagaral and 25 of his men have yet to receive a recommendation from the commissioner for their efforts in foiling the said smuggling try. The Un |
