Customs orders seizure of misdeclared petroleum products

Philippine Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez ordered the issuance of warrant of seizure and detention on a container van of misclassified and grossly undervalued petroleum products at the Port of Manila. Port of Manila District Collector Rogel Gatchalian said the shipment was made to appear that the petroleum products contained biofuel components which are exempted from the payment of excise tax. The shipment was undervalued by Php30.7 million (US$675,467), the Bureau of Customs claimed. (August 19, 2010)