The governments of the Philippines and India are looking for possible cooperation in the fight against rampant rice smuggling in the country, according to the Bureau of Customs (BoC).
The move, according to BoC Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, appears to be feasible because both countries have good trade relationships.
“Why not. Our respective Customs agencies and law enforcement arms can work together by exchanging intel reports on smuggling,” he said.
Biazon said the BoC is on the look-out for more solutions to curb smuggling in the country.
“We are doing everything that is possible so that we can finally say goobye to all forms of smuggling,” he said.
The campaign  against smuggling was a direct order from President Aquino to Biazon and prior to this, to dismantle the smuggling syndicates responsible for bringing into the country tons of  imported rice.
It can be remembered that BoC seized P42.5 million worth of smuggled rice in Subic Freeport that was followed by the confiscation of 420,000 sacks of smuggled rice worth P.5 million at the same port.
Reports said, the shipper of the rice identified as “Mr. Protik,” CEO of  Amira Foods Limited with business address in New Delhi, India was able to have the contraband released from SBMA and distributed the illegal cargoes  to the local market.
A broker/fixer with alias  “Bong” who boasts of having connections to the higher-ups  reportedly facilitated the release of the contraband from the warehouse of Metro Eastern.
Moreover, reliable sources said that “Mr. Protik” is working for Kishore Hemlan, an Indian engaged in rice importation and was reported also to have been a business partner of Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.
Hemlani was able to close a contract with the government for the importation of 595,000 metric tons of rice from India for the first two years of the Arroyo Administration.
Malacañang lauded and supported the probe being conducted by the Senate committee on agriculture and food chaired by Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan   over the anomaly.
The Palace said  Biazon is doing his job well in ridding BoC of graft and corruption.
“The instructions given by the President to Commissioner Ruffy Biazon was to ensure that smuggling should stop. And this is another instance where the commissioner has stepped up to ensure that we exert all efforts in curbing smuggling in this country,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
“We certainly commend the stepped up efforts of Commissioner Biazon — not only in rice smuggling but also in other areas of smuggling; not only blatant smuggling but also technical smuggling, where you undervalue your goods,” he added.
The idea to seek cooperation with the Indian government came following the discovery that many of the imported rice being illegally shipped into the country come from India.
The Senate inquiry started following the series of successful operations of the BoC led by Biazon  against big time rice smuggling at the Subic Freeport.
Local rice producers have complained the entry of smuggled rice into the local market.
Bulaon admitted before the committee that before the rice arrived from India, he was approached by Stefani Sano, senior deputy administrator for business and investment development of SBMA to facilitate the entry of the contrabands.
“Ni-recommend po kami ni (Sano) to help the Amira Group… tulungan ang Amira na i-warehouse ang kargamento,” said  Bulaon.
 When the rice arrived in Subic Bay Freeport on April 4, 2012, the shipper of the rice identified as “Mr. Protik,” CEO of  Amira Foods Ltd. with business address in New Delhi, India was able to have  contrabands released from SBMA and distributed to the local market.
Bulaon added that a cooperative identified as “San Miguel” was supposed to be used by  “Mr. Protik” and his alleged cohorts to get the import permit and make the release of the contraband legal.