FedEx exec summoned over ‘hot  phones’

MANILA, Philippines – An official of the FedEx Airfreight Service at Subic Freeport is being investigated for allegedly allowing the reshipment of “hot” imported cell phones.

Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr., Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group head, said Sam Bautista, FedEx clearance operations manager, has been asked to explain why he authorized the reshipment of 15 freight boxes containing cell phones that arrived under questionable circumstances.

Bautista apparently learned of the impending action of the Bureau of Customs and Task Force Subic and authorized the immediate reshipment of the cell phones to Hong Kong, he added.

Benny Kho, Task Force Subic deputy director, said the shipment was declared as communications equipment but the cell phones were not covered by a permit from the National Telecommunications Commission.

“The shipment was authorized by Mr. Bautista for reshipment in clear violation of the existing rules and regulations,” he added.

“He did not properly coordinate with or notify the concerned officials of Customs and PASG-TFS.

“He did not clear the matter with us. As to why Mr. Bautista chose to ignore these rules is still a mystery.”

In a letter, Bautista explained to Zaldy Almoradie, Subic Customs Special Collector for FedEx, that he acted on the request of the shipper and consignee for the cargo’s reshipment.

It was revealed that the 15 big boxes of cell phones arrived from Hong Kong last week and were consigned to a certain Noel Moog of Pilar, Bataan.

Antonio Villar ordered his men yesterday to work closely with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to stomp out smuggling at Subic Freeport.

“Every now and then, we would have to take each other’s advice,” he said.

“Before you report to me, you consult first with Chairman Salonga, Administrator Arreza, or Collector Zamoranos so that things could be ironed out here. I’m sure there will be a good working relationship.”

Armand Arreza, SBMA administrator/chief executive officer, said the task at hand for the three agencies is to ensure that Subic Freeport would no longer be used as a springboard for smuggling.

“Technically, there is no smuggling in Subic because it is recognized as a separate customs territory,” he said.

“But we cannot deny that some port users make it a jump-off point for smuggling, and that’s giving Subic a bad name.”

Marietta Zamoranos, Subic customs collector, said the Bureau of Customs needs the support of the PASG and SBMA to stop smuggling at Subic Freeport.

“We cannot do the job all by ourselves,” she said. “We have to be one family.” – Marvin Sy, Bebot Sison Jr., Ric Sapnu