Take back your trash, Korean shipper told

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has called on a South Korean shipper to take back some 5,000 metric tons of suspected garbage that was dumped in Mandaue City in Cebu on Jan. 20.

 In a meeting with BOC-Cebu district collector Elvira Cruz and Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing yesterday, a representative of Neo Green Bio Co. Ltd. agreed to return the cargo to their ship.

 Cruz said they are investigating Neo Green and the consignee of the shipment, Moving Forward Global Trading Inc., as well as Customs broker Romer Gastador to determine if they violated the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substance and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act. 

Cruz said it was the first time that garbage was imported to Cebu. 

BOC-Cebu Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service head Verne Enciso said they would request the Philippine Coast Guard to escort the ship to ensure that the garbage would not be unloaded in Philippine waters.

The shipment was misdeclared as wood chips and recycled synthetic resin.