The House Ways and Means Committee has invited 10 suspected smugglers to attend its next hearing on smuggling agricultural goods.
The panel approved the motion of Sultan Kudarat Rep. Horacio Suansing to invite the following individuals to its next hearing:
– Michael Ma
– Lujene Ang
– Andrew Chang (Manila/Batangas)
– Beverly Peres
– Aaron
– Manuel Tan (CDO/Subic/Batangas)
– Leah Cruz (CDO/MICP)
– Jun Diamante (CDO)
– Lucio Lim
– Gerry Teves (MICP)
Suansing initially asked that a subpoena be issued against these individuals, but eventually changed his mind and pushed for an invitation instead. He said he wanted to grill the suspected smugglers in person.
Based on sources, Suansing claimed Ang is the biggest smuggler of agricultural goods, averaging over 300 containers a week at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), while Lim is allegedly Ang’s right-hand man in the Bureau of Customs.
Suansing said the alleged big-time smugglers are reportedly using several consignees to legitimize their scheme, namely: Victory JM Enterprises, Taculog International Consumer Goods Trading, Asterzenmed Aggregates, Veneta Consumer Goods Trading, Lalavy Aggregates Trading, Frankie Trading Enterprises, Primex Export – Import Producer, SB Express Logistics Business Solution, Silver Pop Dry Goods Trading, Thousand Sunny Enterprises, Viogelas Viol Aggregates Trading, Junezone Dry Goods Trading, and Burias Jang Consumer Goods Trading.
The House Ways and Means Committee is looking into the smuggling of agricultural goods as prices of basic commodities such as rice, sugar, eggs and onion remain elevated.