P1.2 million worth of pyrotechnics seized at Manila port

By Ronron
December 5, 2007

Authorities seized on Wednesday at a port in Manila City several pieces of pyrotechnics worth about P1.2 million that was about to be shipped to the Visayas region without proper permits.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Lt. Commander Armand Balilo said the goods were found in a container van at the Sulpicio Lines port at Pier 16 in Manila North Harbor.

The 20-footer container van was supposed to be shipped to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental province on board MV Princess of the Carribean of Sulpicio Lines, which was scheduled to leave Wednesday noon.

Balilo said a tip received by the PCG in the afternoon of Tuesday about the said shipment led to the discovery of the pyrotechnics.

He said the information received was that the said container van contained firecrackers and fireworks, contrary to what was declared as various goods.

With a representative of the shipper, the PCG, Bureau of Customs and the Maritime Police opened the van at around 12 noon yesterday. Inside the van were 400 boxes that contained the pyrotechnics, Balilo said.

“Definitely, this is a case of misdeclared goods. But we leave it to the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police to push the liabilities of the owner,” Balilo said.

The items were traced to Golden Hills Trading-Manila as its shipper, while the consignee was identified as Chela Babor of Orange Internet Café in Dumaguete City.

Balilo said shippers of pyrotechnics must secure a “permit of dangerous cargoes” from the PCG and the Maritime Police if transported to other places.

He issued the reminder as the circulation of pyrotechnics all over the Philippines is expected to rise during this Christmas season./DMS