Duterte to Smugglers: ‘Not During My Watch’

Following the destruction of at least 14 luxury vehicles smuggled through Port Irene, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte warned smugglers to refrain from importing illegal goods and commodities as it will never be allowed under his administration.

Duterte led the public destruction of these 14 contraband luxury vehicles from Japan and South Korea worth P27 million on Wednesday, which were among the 855 used vehicles remained unclaimed since 2014 due to an executive order that prohibits the importation of used vehicles to the Philippines.

“Not during my watch. I just want to give little respect to the agony of the Filipinos. Though I may not be able to deliver really the comfort you want but I assure you that during my time I can give a comfortable life for all,” the President said.

He said the condemnation of the smuggled vehicles demonstrated the firm stand of the government to put an end to the societal disease of the country that corroded, dusted and tainted the government’s sincerity to deliver equitable social services.

The President added that the destruction of the contraband luxury vehicles signifies his strong resort to restore good governance, preserve the nation’s dignity and safeguard the people’s welfare.

“I reiterate that I will never allow smuggling and all forms of irregularities in our ports, especially in our free ports.  Illegal practices will be dealt with to ensure that every department, agency and instrumentality of the government is free from corruption,” Duterte said.

For his part, Atty. Raul Lambino, administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and chief executive officer, said there are more than 800 vehicles and eight luxury single motors that are soon to be destroyed following the “notice of the withdrawal of the appeal” they received from the importers.

Lambino said the CEZA board will finally decide on the condemnation of the said smuggled vehicles. (ALM/OTB/PIA-2Cagayan)