Fair but not free trade

Fair but not free trade
27 October 2005


In a recent letter to the Executive Director, Bureau of Customs, Manila, Philippines, Dr Rene Ofreno of the Fair Trade Alliance, Manila, commends the endorsement of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) under your leadership (Alexander M Arevalo to file criminal charges against an importer, Southern Cross Cement Corporation (SCCC).  The CIIS recommendation for the filing of criminal charges ranging from illegal release of importation, falsification of public documents and making misrepresentations (information established through SEC records stating that SCCC is a subsidiary of Japanese-based Taiheyo and Tokuyama Cement Corporation) will help us in our long-standing crusade against harmful imports and unfair trade practices.  This in turn will promote a level-playing field and strengthen our resolve to nurture our local industries and agriculture.   We pray that BoC under your guidance will continue to work for the interest of our local producers.     Published under Cement News