Taguba says another customs broker runs bigger operations at BOC

Mark Taguba,  a middle man who facilitates the releases of shipments through the Bureau of Customs, claimed during a House committee hearing late Wednesday that another broker supposedly runs a bigger operation at the bureau.

During the House ways and means committee inquiry into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment that passed uninspected through the BOC green lane in May, Taguba named a certain Kimberly – who supposedly brings in at least 250 containers a week.

Taguba said his operation facilitates the entry of around 100 containers a week, and admitted he gave BOC personnel more than P27,000 to fast track the release of each container.

"Meron lang po ako naririnig na 'yung Kimberly, doon siya sa grupo na 'yun," Taguba claimed, referring to the group of one Chris Bolastig.

Chris Bolastig, Taguba claimed in previous hearings, was the one who supposedly accepted payments for the Office of the Commissioner.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the House committee on dangerous drugs, asked Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Neil Estrella if he knew Kimberly.

Estrella said his information regarding Kimberly was that "this person has been in customs for a while, and she is also a broker."

He said the name Kimberly was not in the BOC system when he inquired.

Barbers asked his fellow lawmakers to also look into Kimberly and her operations.

"Mukhang nakatutok lang tayo kay Mr. Taguba at sa EMT. Pero, beyond, meron pang mas malalaki na nakikita natin," he said.

EMT Trading was the importer that processed the shipment containing methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu last May.

Estrella, Maestrecampo resigned

Estrella disclosed during the hearing that he submitted a courtesy resignation letter on Monday.

Another customs official, Import Assessment Service Director Milo Maestrecampo, also tendered his courtesy resignation amid bribery allegations.

Taguba named Estrella and Maestrecampo as among those who received grease money from him.

Both BOC official denied the allegations. — VDS/KVD, GMA News