Two More Rice Traders Slapped Smuggling Raps
Two Cagayan De Oro-based rice traders face smuggling-related charges for the illegal importation of over 1.3-Million kilograms (1,378 Metric Tons) of glutinous (malagkit) rice worth an estimated P82.68-Million.
Elmer Cañeta and Michael Abella, owners and proprietors of EC Peninsula Commercial and New Dawn Enterprises, respectively, were charged with multiple counts of violating Section 3601 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) for the unlawful importation; and Section 29 of Presidential Decree (PD) Number 4, as amended by PD No 1485 for failure to obtain import permits. Both firms were not issued Certificates of Eligibility to import rice by the National Food Authority (NFA) nor obtained the required import permits from the NFA for its rice importations.
The illegal rice shipments of New Dawn Enterprises and EC Peninsula Commercial arrived in November 2014 at the Port of Cagayan De Oro. In its import documents, New Dawn and EC Peninsula misdeclared the rice imports as gypsum boards, plaster board, kitchenware and tiles.
“There was clear intent to hide the rice shipments precisely because these traders know that they are importing rice without the required permits. We are working closely with the NFA to set policies and procedures that are easy and simple to understand to improve the compliance of rice traders,” said Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla.
The NFA regulates rice imports through Minimum Access Volumes to ensure viability of the local rice industry.
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FACTS OF THE CASES:
| CONSIGNEE | EC PENINSULA COMMERCIAL |
| DATE OF COMMISSION | November 2014 |
| VIOLATIONS | 1. Section 3601 in relation to Section 101 of the TCCP in relation to National Food Authority (“NFA”) Memorandum Circular No. AO-2014-01-001 dated 28 January 2014
2. Section 29 of Presidential Decree No. 4, as amended. |
| GOODS | 35 20-foot container vans of GLUTINOUS RICE totaling 910,000 kilograms |
| MARKET VALUE | P54,600,000.00 |
| PORT OF ORIGIN | Vietnam |
| RESPONDENT | ELMER DELA PENA CANETA, owner/proprietor of EC PENINSULA COMMERCIAL, with address at Hillside Village, Lapasan, Cagayan De Oro City |
| CONSIGNEE | NEW DAWN ENTERPRISES |
| DATE OF COMMISSION | November 2014 |
| VIOLATIONS | 1. Section 3601 in relation to Section 101 of the TCCP in relation to National Food Authority (“NFA”) Memorandum Circular No. AO-2014-01-001 dated 28 January 2014; and
2. Section 29 of Presidential Decree No. 4, as amended.
|
| GOODS | 18 20-foot container vans of GLUTINOUS RICE totaling 468,000 kilograms |
| MARKET VALUE | P28,080,000.00 |
| PORT OF ORIGIN | Vietnam |
| RESPONDENT | MICHAEL ANGUAY ABELLA, owner/proprietor of NEW DAWN ENTERPRISES, with address at Purok 10, Baloy Highway, Tablon, Cagayan De Oro City
|
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