Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The search for David Tan

A "nom de guerre" appears to be the only link to big time smuggling that has engulfed Philippines shores for so many years.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has indicated this Sunday over a government-sponsored television program hosted by ABS-CBN Regional Network Group.

A certain "David Tan" turns out to be a fictitious name, a smokescreen most shadowy groups are wont to employ in order to perpetrate their nefarious trade, Duterte explains.

Duterte recently received a wake up call from Kim Henares, who described  Mindanao's busiest business hub as the weakest link in the government anti-smuggling drive.

As one of the primary concerns of any BIR commissioner, smuggling since time immemorial has been unstoppable.

Here comes the imaginary "Goliath" representing the  tax targeting-oriented government agency. In what could be a move establishing a sword bearer or an anti-smuggling czar in this part of the country, Henares meets Duterte to map out policies and strategies to counter unabated smuggling of goods in different major ports of entry.

Taking most of the ire of Duterte is the smuggling of imported rice which the iron-fist mayor warns is affecting mostly the small Filipino farmers.

The new Henares-Duterte tandem versus widespread smuggling, if successful, could turn the tide against self-styled "David" in the ensuing reversal of roles of Biblical proportion. (RS)

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