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Some balikbayan boxes from Saudi sold to vendors
by Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 11/05/2013 1:03 PM | Updated as of 11/05/2013 2:50 PM
MANILA, Philippines - A number of balikbayan boxes from Saudi Arabia can be found behind a small store inside an alley in Silverio compound in Paranaque. Some of the boxes still have the names and addresses of its original recipients in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the store displays a variety of imported goods for sale, such as shoes, make-up and other groceries.
Vendor Fredelyn Sotto admitted a cargo company DXL International sold her these balikbayan boxes.
"Ang bigay ho sa amin P5,000 ang maliit, P6,000 ang malaki. Sabi ng may-ari wala naman kaso kasi tinatawag muna sa Saudi bago ibebenta," Sotto said.
ABS-CBN contacted one of the owners of these balikbayan boxes.
Saudi-based OFW Rosita Arigora was surprised when she learned that her package from Saudi was sold without her knowledge. She sent the package in April and it was not delivered to her family.
"Sana maibalik sa amin yun kasi pinaghirapan ko din yan," she said.
On Monday afternoon, officers from the Philippine Shippers Bureau returned to the store in Silverio compound to discover all the balikbayan boxes were already gone.
The Department of Trade and Industry said no cargo company has the right to sell any package sent to them.
"Obligasyon ng cargo company na ideliver ito ng door to door," DTI director Vic Dimagiba said.
The DTI will ask DXL International freight forwarder to explain the incident.
But in a statement sent to ABS-CBN, the company said they were never involved in the illegal disposal of these packages and they were also victims in the scam.
"Sa mga nagpadala ng balikbayan box sa DXL, kapag lumagpas ng dalawang buwan na hindi pa nakakarating yan sa Pilipinas dapat itawag na yan sa DTI," Dimagiba said.
The DTI reminds OFWs, especially this Christmas season, to be extra careful in sending their balikbayan boxes. They should choose only accredited and licensed forwarding companies.
The DTI added OFWs should also include a list or an inventory of their items and to make sure to write the correct address of the recipient.
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