By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
The new management of Magnum Air (Skyjet), Inc. said it is willing to fully cooperate with the Bureau of Customs on the unpaid duties and taxes by its predecessor of an imported 80-seater aircraft, which was seized by the bureau last March 29.
Similarly, it reported that it had filed syndicated estafa charges against the previous management of Skyjet, a copy of which it had furnished the BoC that led to the seizure proceedings.
In a statement, the new management of Skyjet said as early as December, 2016, following an internal compliance audit it conducted, the company communicated with the BOC Port of Subic of its willingness to voluntarily disclose and settle any tax and duty obligation due from the subject aircraft.
This was prior to the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) in May, 2017. The effort was made notwithstanding the lack of knowledge and participation by the new owners on the misdeeds of the previous management.
Also, the subject aircraft was legally admitted upon first importation as shown by documents submitted to the BOC seizure proceedings and the current management had long submitted its intention to settle any tax and duty obligation that may be legally due on the subject aircraft.
Finally, the present seizure case has been going on for over a year and the present management of Magnum Air (Skyjet), Inc. has consistently cooperated and participated in all the legal proceedings conducted by the BOC.
The company reiterated its support to the government’s efforts to improve the BOC and address irregularities.
The company said it had conducted its internal compliance audit and due diligence and has undergone management and corporate restructuring since 2016. It is committed to correcting the previous management’s erroneous practices and has proceeded to strictly comply with all applicable regulatory laws and regulations.
The company said it will comply with any lawful decision that may arise from this seizure proceeding which resulted from the previous management’s illegal acts. It will remain strong in pursuing the criminal case filed against the previous management in February 2016, long before this seizure case came about.
The bureau announced the forfeiture of the aircraft during a press conference held July 16.
Magnum Air’s new management said it is very much concerned in this issue and would like to assure the public and the authorities that it will be investigating on its own and work with the government authorities to ensure all obligations have been duly settled and the responsible be held accountable.
It apologized for any uncertainty that the issue has brought upon the riding public as it also said its operations are fully compliant and duly licensed with the Manila International Airport Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
At Monday’s press conference, the BoC said it took custody of the plane last March 29 after its owner was unable to show proof of payment of duties and taxes and other documents on the acquisition of the aircraft and its operations.
The Bureau added that based on reports, aircraft owner and operator Magnum Air, Inc. had already been delisted from the Subic Bay Freeport List Locators and had ceased operations since 2014.