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Viewing cable 07MANILA3819, Progress Against Smuggling in Subic Freeport

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07MANILA3819 2007-12-04 02:17 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Manila
VZCZCXRO2667
OO RUEHCHI RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHPB
DE RUEHML #3819/01 3380217
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040217Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9059
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//FPA//
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003819 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/EP, EEB/IFD/OMA 
STATE PASS EXIM, OPIC, AND USTR 
STATE PASS USAID FOR AA/ANE, AA/EGAT, DAA/ANE 
TREASURY FOR OASIA 
USDOC FOR 4430/ITA/MAC/ASIA & PAC/KOREA & SE ASIA/ASEAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EFIN ETRD EINV PGOV RP
SUBJECT:  Progress Against Smuggling in Subic Freeport 
 
Ref:  Manila 3387 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
1.  (SBU)  A visit by about 40 representatives of business chambers, 
associations, companies, and foreign embassies spurred Subic 
Freeport authorities to announce aggressive action on the problem of 
vehicle and fuel smuggling (reftel) during meetings on November 8. 
The anti-smuggling measures included a six-month ban on imports of 
second-hand vehicles into the Freeport and suspension of two fuel 
importers.  Separately, the Philippine Supreme Court upheld its 
decision to prohibit the sale of imported second-hand vehicles in 
the Philippines.  U.S. companies characterized the events as 
"extremely significant" in the fight against smuggling and their own 
lobbying efforts as "succeeding beyond expectations."  However, they 
cautioned that further vigilance and advocacy will be important to 
ensure a lasting, nationwide anti-smuggling campaign in the 
Philippines.  End Summary. 
 
-------------------------------- 
Fruitful Visit to Subic Freeport 
-------------------------------- 
 
2.  (U)  On November 8, Emboffs reinforced a group of about 40 
representatives from 18 domestic and foreign chambers of commerce, 
companies, and embassies in a dialogue with officials from the Subic 
Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Bureau of Customs (BoC), and Land 
Transportation Office (LTO) to press for progress in addressing the 
smuggling of used vehicles and fuel through the Subic Freeport. 
During the dialogue, Philippine government officials informed the 
participants that the Supreme Court had ruled in October 2007 to 
uphold its February 2006 decision prohibiting the sale of 
second-hand vehicles outside the freeports.  As a result of the 
decision, the SBMA has blocked the exit of some 2,900 used passenger 
vehicles from the Freeport into the Philippines customs territory. 
 
3.  (SBU)  SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza also announced a 
six-month halt (until April 2008) on the issuance of permits for 
importing second-hand automobiles into the Freeport.  During the 
halt, the SBMA, BoC, Department of Finance, and the Department of 
Trade and Industry will jointly audit all vehicles in the Freeport 
to gauge the extent of smuggling and collect unpaid taxes.  Arreza 
said an audit of fuel importers has also started and the operations 
of two companies have been suspended thus far. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
But Continued Pressure Needed for Effective Enforcement 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
4.  (SBU)  The group that visited Subic held a review meeting on 
November 21 to discuss accomplishments and next steps.  The 
consensus was that the visit had been a significant success and had 
accomplished more than had been expected.  They thought the 
high-profile visit of a large, united group, which included 
officials from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, had been effective 
in spurring the Philippine Government to take more aggressive steps 
on the smuggling problem, and concluded that this approach should be 
adopted in future high-priority advocacy efforts.  The participants 
noted that used-vehicle auction advertisements over the past month 
no longer include passenger cars.  (Note:  Philippine law still 
allows imports of certain second-hand special-purpose vehicles.) 
 
5.  (SBU)  While commending recent government actions, the 
participants also agreed that it would be necessary to continue 
advocacy on the issue and to carefully review administrative 
processes to plug loopholes and coordinate enforcement in order to 
reach the ultimate goal of lasting, nationwide, effective 
enforcement.  The diversion into the domestic market of tax-exempt 
fuel imported through Subic for delivery to government-designated, 
tax-exempt Philippine economic zones remains a pressing issue 
requiring government action. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
High-Level Meeting and Press Release in the Works 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
6.  (SBU)  As an immediate follow-through to the Subic dialogue, the 
group agreed to request a joint meeting with the Secretaries of the 
Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Department 
of Energy, and the Department of Transportation and Communication, 
 
MANILA 00003819  002 OF 002 
 
 
and the heads of the tax collection agencies and Land Transportation 
Office in order to ensure that the agencies expeditiously take the 
necessary steps to fully implement the October 2007 Supreme Court 
decision. 
 
7.  (SBU)  The group also agreed to issue a press release on the 
November 8 Subic visit to commend recent GRP actions, inform the 
public of the impact of smuggling, and urge effective implementation 
of pertinent laws and processes.  A press release is currently 
circulating for clearance and a high-level meeting with the 
government officials has been requested. 
 
8.  (SBU)  Some vehicle importers continue to resist the Supreme 
Court decision prohibiting the sale of second-hand vehicles in the 
domestic market.  On November 27, 41 registered vehicle importers 
issued a one-page appeal to President Gloria Arroyo in a number of 
leading newspapers and requested the release of the 2,900 vehicles 
being held in the Subic Freeport. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
Taking Advocacy on the Road:  Cebu Next? 
---------------------------------------- 
 
8.  (SBU)  While the anti-smuggling group believes that Subic is 
currently the port of entry for 60% to 70% of the illicit vehicles 
and fuel entering the Philippines, second-hand vehicles and fuel are 
also smuggled through other ports.  During the November 21 review 
meeting, participants supported a suggestion that the group 
replicate the Subic dialogue in other ports, specifically mentioning 
the Cebu port, and the Cagayan and Zamboanga freeports. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
9.  (SBU)  For the companies, success will be measured by the 
improved sales of new vehicles and fuel products by legitimate 
dealers.  Although the business sector has succeeded in spurring 
government action to curb smuggling in the Subic Freeport, further 
work will be needed to institutionalize reforms and sustain a more 
vigorous nationwide anti-smuggling campaign.  End Comment. 
 
Kenney