Makati City: Customs officers seized some PHP366 million worth of luxury vehicles at a warehouse in Makati City. In a statement Monday, Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) seized the luxury vehicles, including brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren on Valentine's Day.
According to Philippines News Agency, this operation followed a similar one conducted on February 13 in warehouses in Pasay City and Para±aque City, which resulted in the seizure of PHP1.4 billion worth of luxury vehicles. Commissioner Rubio emphasized the CIIS officers' commitment to their mandate and highlighted a new strategy for tackling smuggling, warning that those involved would be relentlessly pursued.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso identified the seller as ACH High-End Motor Service Center, located at No. 489 J.P. Rizal St., Makati City. The Bureau of Customs official, along with the Philippine Coast Guard's Task Force Aduana, visited the location to serve a Letter of Authority to verify the legitimacy of the vehicles' importation and ensure correct duties and taxes had been paid. Enciso confirmed that the operation followed intelligence received about the showroom in Makati.
The initial inventory revealed numerous luxury vehicles, including a Ferrari 488 Spider, Ferrari 812 Superfast, Porsche Targa, Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, BMW M4, Lexus LC500, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, Land Rover Defender, Audi RS Q8, McLaren 720S, Ford Explorer, Li Xiang L7 SUV, Abarth 595 Competizione, MV Agusta Brutale 1000RR motorcycle, and two luxury vans-Toyota Alphard. The team has temporarily padlocked and sealed the showroom and storage facility for a proper inventory by assigned Customs examiners in the presence of CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service, barangay officials, and storage representatives.
The owners, lessees, lessors, occupants, representatives, or any responsible parties for the warehouse and vehicles have 15 days from the receipt of the Letters of Authority to submit necessary documents proving that all duties and taxes have been paid correctly. Failure to provide valid documentation would result in charges under Sections 1400 and 1401, in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.