The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has taken legal action against the rice importers believed to be involved with the raided warehouse in Bulacan.

In a statement, William Balayo, Customs Legal Service acting director, said the bureau's anti-smuggling unit, the Bureau Action Team Against Smuggling (BATAS), filed four agricultural smuggling cases against the importers. 

“These are those who were raided on Aug. 24 in Bulacan and pardon me if I cannot name those accused. Nevertheless, we are happy to state that we have filed cases. Three here are your economic sabotage,” Balayo said.

While three of the cases are classified as large-scale smuggling, one case did not meet the P10-million threshold and has been downgraded to a violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). 

Nonetheless, it still pertains to the smuggling of agricultural products, specifically rice, Balayo explained.

Balayo also expressed optimism that the public will recognize the efforts of the Bureau of Customs, led by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, in combatting all forms of smuggling, particularly the smuggling of rice.

Marlon Agaceta, the chief of staff of the Customs commissioner, said there are currently four warehouses under investigation in relation to rice importation.

For the two importers, the deadline for submitting the necessary import documents to demonstrate the legality of their importation and provide proof of payment for the correct duties and taxes has already passed as of Friday.

"However, the two other letters of authority (LOAs), which were served on Sep. 15, still have two more days to submit their ongoing inventory," he added.

"The first warehouse has an inventory of 9,906 sacks of imported rice, while the other one contains 5,257 sacks of rice."

When asked about the time it takes for the Customs to file cases against suspected rice smugglers, BOC officials said the government allows the other party sufficient time to prove the legality of their importation process and ensures that due process is followed.

The officials emphasized that denying these individuals due process would potentially violate their rights as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Trial Court - National Judicial Capital Region Branch 24 rendered its verdict on Sept. 8, 2023, declaring the proprietor of Real Mart, guilty of violating Customs laws by misdeclaring a shipment of carrots as frozen pastry buns. 

This conviction resulted from a criminal complaint filed by the BOC on Sept. 10, 2020, with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The case stems from an incident that occurred on June 26, 2020, when a shipment consigned to Real Mart arrived at the BOC - Port of Manila from Singapore. 

The consignee declared the shipment to contain 2,500 cartons of frozen pastry buns. However, suspicions were raised when a derogatory report was received by the Port of Manila, prompting a physical examination of the shipment.

Upon inspection, it was discovered that the shipment did not contain frozen pastry buns as declared, but instead, it contained misdeclared carrots, a clear violation of Customs regulations. 

Subsequently, a warrant of seizure and detention was issued against the shipment, and appropriate charges were filed against the owner of Real Mart.