10 luxury vehicles missing after BOC raid on Discaya compound in Pasig
By Derco Rosal
Bureau of Customs officials execute a search warrant at a Pasig City property of the Discaya family on Sept. 2. The operation is part of an investigation into the family’s collection of luxury cars and their connection to alleged irregularities in flood control projects. (Mark Balmores | MB)
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday, Sept. 2, found only two of 12 luxury vehicles during the execution of a search warrant at the Pasig City compound of St. Gerrard Construction, a firm owned by contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya.
As part of a probe into the vehicles’ alleged missing documentation, the BOC raided the compound after a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing where Sarah Discaya admitted her family owned 28 luxury vehicles.
The BOC’s search warrant, however, covered only a dozen vehicles for which no import records could be found.
In a statement following the raid, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno expressed serious concern about the missing vehicles and vowed to find them.
“The Bureau of Customs takes the issue of the missing luxury cars of Discaya with the utmost seriousness,” Nepomuceno said. “We will ensure that these vehicles are located without delay, and if discrepancies are uncovered, all taxes and duties will be collected in full.”
The commissioner warned that anyone found “hiding or abetting the concealment of these cars will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
He added that the BOC is committed to protecting government revenues and upholding public trust.
The operation comes as the BOC is monitoring and supporting an ongoing investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
That probe focuses on alleged anomalous flood control projects that first raised issues regarding the luxury vehicles owned by the Discaya family.
During the hearing, senators questioned how the couple, whose firms have secured billions of pesos in government contracts, could amass such a car collection, which includes brands like Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maybach.
The BOC stated that any irregularity in the vehicles’ importation, such as misdeclaration or nonpayment of duties and taxes, would be subject to enforcement actions under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
While unable to disclose details of the ongoing investigation, the BOC assured the public it remains firm in enforcing the law with “fairness, transparency and due process.”