The Bureau of Customs has filed criminal charges against companies that abandoned hundreds of balikbayan boxes at the Manila International Container Port, the agency revealed yesterday.

Nine complaints were filed by the BoC before the Department of Justice against officials of the FBV Forwarder and Logistics Inc., CMG International Movers and Cargo Service, Etmar International Logistics Corp., and Cargoflex Haulers Corporation.

The complaints averred that the respondents, without valid justifications, failed to declare the goods or to claim the same within the prescribed period.

BoC Commissioner Yogi Ruiz assured the public they would be unrelenting in going after forwarding companies that allegedly defraud overseas Filipino workers.