MANILA — A 23-year-old food delivery rider denied any involvement in agricultural smuggling after the Bureau of Customs (BOC) records identified him as the owner of a trading company that imported containers of seized goods.

Dexter Juala appeared before a Senate inquiry led by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan into the multi-million peso smuggling of carrots, onions, and frozen fish confiscated at the Port of Subic in July.

According to BOC documents, Juala was listed as the owner of EPCB Consumer Goods Trading, the consignee of 14 containers of smuggled agricultural products.

“Sir, wala po akong alam diyan,” Juala told Pangilinan when asked about the shipments.

He said his uncle, identified as Erwin Pascual, had asked for his identification card, instructed him to sign documents, and registered his name at the pier.

“Hindi ko po alam. Basta po pinapirma lang ako sa dokumento na binigay sakin pero wala na po akong alam sa mga susunod na nangyari,” he told the senator’s staff in a separate interview.

Juala said he appeared before the hearing to assert his innocence, adding that he was worried about supporting his child.

“Natatakot din po ako. Naii-stress din po ako kakaisip dahil may anak din po akong binubuhay,” he said. “Kaya naman po ako nagpunta dito kasi wala naman po ako talagang kasalanan kaya humarap po ako dito.”

He added that Pascual, who is set to be invited to the Senate’s next hearing, had promised to assist him.

“(Sabi ng) Tito ko na tutulungan naman daw po ako sa nangyayari sa akin po ngayon,” he said.

Pangilinan said Juala’s case shows how large smuggling operations use unsuspecting individuals to avoid accountability.

“Sa totoo lang, hindi naman maglalakas ang loob ng mga ito kung walang nasa likod nila na kumakamada. Kamadang sindikato ito, maliwanag. Kamada ng malaking sindikato ang nangyari dito,” the senator said.

“Biruin mo Food Panda rider ang may ari ng EPCB at sinasabing pinasulat lang sa kanya. Anong ginagawa niya dito? Paano nangyari na siya ang may ari at nalusutan na naman ang Customs?,” he added.

The senator also flagged the use of fake or expired broker licenses and the sharing of credentials of legitimate brokers among import firms.

“Di ko to tatantantan hanggang magkaroon ng resulta dahil yun naman ang hinihiling ng ating mga kababayan. Galit na ang taong bayan sa korapsyon, sa panga-abuso sa pwesto, galit na ang taong bayan sa kamadang sindikato,” Pangilinan said.