Asia/Pacific News
Firm Takes Legal Action After Customs' Bunker Seizure in the Philippines
Contesting a recent seizure of bunkers, Philippines-based San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is suing the Philippines' Bureau of Customs (BoC), asserting that the seizure was carried out without due process and in the face of a complete set of import documentation, Philippine media reports.
Customs is said to have seized 44,000 metric tonnes (mt) of bunker fuel cargo, which was consigned to Limay's SL Harbor Bulk Terminal and loaded on M/T Alpine Magnolia, as well as a local barge, M/T Malolos.
"[Customs] cannot just seize products without following the due process of law at the expense of law abiding taxpayers. They should go after the real criminals," Ramon Ang, SMC's President said at a press briefing on Friday.
"We have always stood behind the BoC in its efforts to put a lid on fuel smuggling and improve its revenue generation, but it has to be done properly."
The legal action is reported to have been filed at the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) by SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corp., SMC's fuel import handling unit.
The lawsuit is reported to be specifically seeking to nullify BoC's decision of forfeiture.
