BOC probes alleged smuggled rice unloaded in Iloilo

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 19)— The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is investigating reports on alleged smuggled rice worth ₱1 billion unloaded in Iloilo this month.

In a statement on Friday, the BOC said authorities are looking into four shipments which supposedly arrived on board several vessels at the Iloilo port.

"Coordination has been made with various public and private organizations involved in the inspection of shipments," the BOC said. "We are still awaiting the official report on the matter from the Port of Iloilo."

Citing a source from the agency, an online report published earlier in the day said about 38,400 metric tons of rice believed to have been smuggled from Vietnam were released in the country. The ships, according to the report, arrived "between Aug. 4 and 13."

The BOC Collection District VI denied the allegations, stressing that "no history of rice smuggling has been recorded" at the port.