The Bureau of Customs seized a Porsche Boxter S 4S and a Porsche Panamera 4S with a combined worth of P28 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, which were reportedly imported for educational and training purposes.
The Porsche Boxter S, which is worth P10 million and the Porsche Panamera 4S, which is worth P18 million, arrived in the country via Malaysia Airlines on Aug. 5, 2017.
Bureau of Customs—Ninoy Aquino International Airport collector Carmelita Talusan said the two expensive second-hand cars were abandoned at the Miascor warehouse near the Naia Since Aug. 5, prompting her office to issue a Warrant of Seizure and Detention.
Based on the import documents, the cars were intended to be used for training purposes.
But Talusan, quoting the Import Regulations Division of Department of Trade and Industry, said the import consignee violated Executive Order No. 156 which prohibits the importation of used motor vehicles.
Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the consignee has no authority to import used motor vehicles which are still required even if the intention is for training purpose of any school.
“Only special purpose vehicles can have exemptions like fire trucks, ambulances, funeral hearses, crane lorries, boom trucks, tanker trucks, reefers, street sweepers, mixers, garbage compactors and special purpose trucks/vehicles,” he said.
Lapeña said the luxury cars would undergo forfeiture proceedings and would be later be subjected to destruction.
Customs duty and taxes for each luxury cars—Porsche S is P4,965, 561, while Panamera 4S, 7,512,477.
The consignee can file a letter for request for redemption, but subject for approval, Customs officials said.
The bureau is enforcing Executive Order 156, issued in 2002 by then President Arroyo, which prohibit the importation of used cars except light trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles.
Most second-hand vehicles are right-hand drive, which are then converted to left-hand by the buyers.
Imported second-hand vehicles have been phased out in the country of origin after a programmed service life and manufacturers no longer produce replacement parts.
“The seizure was the result of the strong leadership of Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña and his directive to the ports to look carefully into revenue leakages and to ensure compliance with the agency’s rules and regulations,” Talusan said.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said he welcomes the decision of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to give the 10 Hummer trucks which were smuggled into the country to the military and the police.
"That is a very welcome development. Kailangan natin [ito] sa [We need this for the] CEP [Capability Enhancement Program]. Alam natin yung ating kapulisan, even the (Armed Forces of the Philippines), meron pa rin tayong kakulangan [hindi lang] sa [We know that our police force, and even the AFP is lacking not only in] mobility but also in communication and investigation equipment. We want to thank the President at concerned siya sa [for his concern for the] CEP," Albayalde told reporters.
The PNP chief said if the donation pushes through, maintenance would not be much of a problem as the PNP used to operate Hummers in the past.
The seized Hummers were spared from destruction of 69 smuggled luxury vehicles which were witnessed by the President on Monday.
"Remember, we were once issued a Hummer and maraming civilian nagmamay-ari ng Hummer. Marami nagmemekaniko at gumagawa ng repairs [There are many civilians who own a Hummer. There are also those who know how to fix and repair these]," Albayalde added.
The PNP's CEP has hit snags following the failure of one supplier to provide post-acquisition service and support for the PNP's India-made Mahindra brand patrol vehicles.