1.72-M AGARWOOD NAHARANG NG BOC-DAVAO
Ni Joan Alcantara
Photo: BOC
Naharang ng Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Davao ang sana’y illegal exportation ng agarwood, na itinuturing na pinakamahal na puno sa buong mundo, noong Disyembre 10.
Minisdeklara ang package na “wood frames for souvenirs” pero naglalaman pala ng 671 piraso ng agarwood chips na walang permit at nagkakahalaga ng PhP1.72-milyon.
Kabilang ang agarwood sa National List of Threatened Philippine Plants ng DENR AO No. 2007-01.
Sinabi ng BOC na kapareho ng kaso ang naharang na 28 kilong agarwood ng BOC-NAIA noong Disyembre 2 na nagkakahalagang PhP2.4-milyon.
Sasailalim sa seizure at forfeiture proceedings dahil sa paglabag sa Sec. 117 (Regulated Shipments), Sec. 1400 (Misdeclaration), at Sec. 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) ng CMTA at Section 27 (i) (Illegal Transport) ng RA 9147 (Wildlife Act) ang pakete. Ibibigay rin ito sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Sinabi ni Port of Davao District Collector Atty. Erastus Sandino B. Austria, “The Port would like to thank the DENR, the PNP Aviation Security Group and Customs NAIA’s collaborative work with us, led by District Collector, Carmelita Talusan. We will continue to closely coordinate with them to ensure that our borders are efficiently protected from potential illegal exports of endangered trees, in line with the directives of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero. Certainly, we will not tolerate these acts of illegal trade in any of our airports and seaports.”
