Imported vehicles left to rot at CEZA compound

The compound of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) in Santa Ana, Cagayan is now home to thousands of imported vehicles, including luxury cars, left to decay.

According to CEZA, the entry of the vehicles into the country was legal but they were not released from the freeport because taxes were not paid.

CEZA said registered owners should take legal action against individuals responsible for bringing in the vehicles without settling the taxes needed for their release.

Failure to pay the required taxes upon exiting the freeport is considered a legal offense.

"Lahat ng ipinapasok [na kotse] is legal, ngayon kung ilalabas nila [sa freeport] at di sila nagbayad ng buwis, dun lang may krimen; pagpasok walang krimen, walang smuggling dun, pag pinasok sa freeport, walang smuggling; pag inilabas magbayad sila ng buwis," Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile, the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, said. —GMA Regional TV