MALASIQUI—The Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) contributed some P6.78 billion to the government’s coffer since its creation by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo eight months ago.

Speaking to newsmen here, Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr., PASG chief, said the amount was based on duties and increases duties paid by individuals and firms that imported goods from abroad with or without the required import permits.

These included luxury cars and oil that may have been smuggled in various ports, including those from Cebu and Subic.
“For year 2008, we have to double our efforts against smuggling so that the government can collect more duties for goods coming into the country from abroad,” he said.

Villar said President Arroyo gave him the additional duty of overseeing Subic, instead of appointing another Task Force Commander to replace the late Lt. General Jose Calimlim.

He explained that he is holding the position of Subic Task Force Commander in a concurrent capacity.

It is in Subic where the government is losing much collections due to rampant oil smuggling, Villar told newsmen.

Villar said since he took over the job in Subic, he already filed three cases against three firms that paid some P300 million in duties although it should have been more than a billion pesos.

All over the country, he said, PASG already filed cases against 76 persons but these cases are being hampered by the requirement of the Department of Justice for PASG to produce the endorsement of the Customs Commission. (PNA)