BI places 2 Tsinoy traders on lookout bulletin

MANILA, Philippines -  The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has placed on its watchlist the two Filipino-Chinese businessmen implicated in the smuggling of shabu worth P6.4 billion last May.

Chen Ju Long, also known as Richard Chen, and Dong Yi Shen, or Kenneth Dong, were put on the watchlist last Tuesday afternoon upon the request of the Senate, which is conducting an inquiry on the shabu smuggling case, according to BI spokesman Ma. Antonette Mangrobang.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon had asked the BI to issue a hold departure order against Chen and Dong. But only the courts can now issue such an order after the Supreme Court withdrew the authority of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue HDOs in 2011.

A person listed in the BI watchlist or lookout bulletin can still leave the country subject to conditions and requirements, including clearance from the DOJ.

The DOJ, however, has an existing lookout bulletin order (LBO) against the two businessmen and several others involved in the smuggling of 604 kilos of shabu.

Also covered by the LBO were Fidel Dee, the arrested consignee of the shipment; Mark Ruben Taguba II, a broker-importer; Larribert Hilario, head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) risk management office; and Taiwanese nationals Jhu Ming-Jyun and Chen Min who rented the warehouse.

“Considering the gravity of the offenses possibly committed, there is a strong possibility that the foregoing personalities may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the lawful processes of this department by leaving the country,” the LBO read.

Aguirre also directed the BI to “instruct all immigration officers to be on the lookout/alert for the above-named individuals in the event that any one of them passes through immigration counters in any of our international airports and/or seaports.” 

Dong was arrested last Tuesday by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) pursuant to the arrest warrant issued by Parañaque City regional trial court over a rape case.

Chen, Dong, Taguba, Dee, Jhu, Chen Min Li, Guang Feng aka Manny Li, customs broker Teejay Marcellana and importer Eirene May Tatad have been charged before the DOJ with importation of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act).

In the complaint, the NBI alleged that Chen (Richard) owns the warehouse of Hongfei Logistics Group of Companies in Valenzuela City from where the shipment containing 605 transparent plastic bags of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu was seized by authorities.

Chen tapped Li for the processing of the release of the shipment declared as kitchenware, footwear and moldings from the BOC. Li then tapped Dong to look for customs brokers to facilitate the release.

Dong later contracted Taguba, who has been testifying in congressional inquiries about the drug smuggling case, and Marcellana as brokers. 

Tatad owns EMT Trading, which was used by the brokers as importer or consignee for the shipment.

Chen (Min) and Jhu were identified by Chinese authorities as the real owners of the shipment. Their alleged local contact, Dee, was arrested by authorities upon receiving the contraband.

“Subjects, through their indispensable cooperation, caused the importation of five wooden crates from China. These crates contain cylinders packed with a total of 605 transparent plastic bags containing methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, a dangerous drug. The total net weight of the specimen is 602.279 kilograms. Thus, in violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act for importation of dangerous drugs,” the complaint read.

Apart from drug charges, Li, Dong and Taguba were likewise charged with unauthorized practice of the customs broker profession under Republic Act 9280 (Customs Broker Act) after it was found that they did not have necessary licenses from the BOC.

“Verification conducted with the Professional Regulation Commission revealed that subjects Li Guang Feng, Dong Ye Shin and Mark Ruben Taguba are not registered Customs brokers,” the NBI said.

The drug shipment arrived at the BOC last May 17 and was released from port on May 23.