By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) carried out on Tuesday a search warrant on the properties of the Discaya family, particularly 12 luxury cars, at their residence in Pasig City.
According to BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, only two out of the 12 cars were found inside the compound of St. Gerrard Construction in Barangay Bambang, where the owners/contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya reside.
The vehicles found were a Maserati and a Toyota Land Cruiser, as well as an Escalade, which is not in the search warrant.
“We’ll just look at those documents, and then investigate whether they paid the government the correct amount (in taxes),” Nepomuceno said in an interview.
Among the vehicles under the search warrant are a Rolls-Royce Cullivan 2023, Mercedes-Benz AMG SUV 2022, and Lincoln Navigator L SUV 2021.
The BOC chief also said they have sent information on the other vehicles to the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) for monitoring.
He assured that they would be able to seize these vehicles.
“Let’s not worry because they will be caught, wherever they hide them (the vehicles),” Nepomuceno said.
At the same time, he urged the Discaya family to voluntarily surrender the cars and present documents proving that the correct duties and taxes have been paid for the vehicles.
“We are giving the Discaya family the opportunity to show the Bureau of Customs what they paid. The interest of the bureau is if they paid them correctly,” the commissioner said. “Otherwise, the family will have a problem.”
He said they are committed to decisive action to protect government revenues, enforce accountability, and uphold the trust of the Filipino people.
“We will ensure that these vehicles are located without delay, and if discrepancies are uncovered, all taxes and duties will be collected in full,” the BOC head said. “Let it be clear: those hiding or abetting the concealment of these cars will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.” (PNA)
