MANILA, Philippines – Just months after the government made balikbayan boxes duty and tax-free, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) found high-caliber firearms smuggled to the country through one.

Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon revealed in a chance interview on Thursday, August 18, that the BOC uncovered several firearms inside a balikbayan box at the warehouse of Atlas Shippers International Incorporated (ASSI) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

This came after the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) got a tip about the balikbayan box on July 19.

In a press release, the BOC said the following were found inside the box:

• 35 pieces trigger housing assembly 
• 60 pieces upper receiver
• 15 pieces batter spring lock
• 10 pieces barrel assembly M16
• 1 piece rail w/o barrel
• 1 piece rail w/ M16 barrel w/ 1 piece suppresor
• 15 pieces butt assembly (10 pieces black and 5 pieces gray)
• 15 pieces buffer spring guide
• 5 pieces quick detach sope mount
• 2 pieces bottle opener

The balikbayan box, according to the statement, was sent by a certain Maiko Claridad from California, USA and was consigned to businessman Leo Mendieta of Bacolod City.

Authorities then monitored the shipping of the balikbayan box from the warehouse to Bacolod City and waited for the claimant.

Personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were able to arrest Mendieta, whose real name is Brian Ta-Ala, and his assistant Wilford Palma on August 6.

The suspects and the confiscated items are now under the custody of the CIDG. Mendieta and Palma will be charged for violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Faeldon, in the interview, also reminded the public not to abuse balikbayan box privileges. 

“Pabayaan n’yo na ang balikbayan boxes. Ito na ang privilege ng OFWs, pinasukan n’yo agad ng kalokohan,” he quipped.

(Leave balikbayan boxes alone. It’s a privilege for OFWs, and now you’ve abused it.) – Rappler.com