By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – A total of 40 importers and licensed customs brokers have been charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Tuesday.
In a news release, the BOC reported that from July 1, 2025 to present, 14 criminal cases were filed against 40 importers and/or their representatives and licensed customs brokers for violations of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The cases involve unlawful importation activities, including technical smuggling, misdeclaration, and undervaluation of goods, aimed at evading the correct payment of duties and taxes.
The BOC also recorded four criminal convictions during the term of Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, arising from smuggling cases filed in previous years.
“These convictions mark a significant milestone in customs enforcement, demonstrating that cases pursued by the Bureau can and do reach successful judicial resolution,” Nepomuceno said.
The Customs chief said they remain relentless in the campaign against smuggling and other fraudulent activities, in line with the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to uphold the integrity of trade operations.
“Following the President’s directive, we will vigorously root out smuggling and revenue fraud, and we will hold unscrupulous importers and brokers fully accountable for any attempt to defraud the government,” he said.
“Through sustained enforcement, continued prosecution, and the securing of convictions, the BOC remains focused on safeguarding government revenue, protecting local industries, and upholding the integrity of the country’s trade system,” he added. (PNA)
