Allan Bigas: says he’s a victim not a villain: In a press conference, wearing a suit and sitting with his lawyer, in Cagayan de Oro City, the alleged suspect the National Bureau of Investigation says may be the leader of a Houston to Mindanao car smuggling ring – proclaimed his innocence.

This comes as the NBI formally filed charges friday for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.

Bigcas, with his lawyer, Jose Alejandro Pallugna, said his client “had filed a motion for recovery of personal property and also sought damages against the NBI before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 Mindanao.

The reports from several media organizations said “Bigcas told newsmen that he bought all the seized luxury vehicles and motorbikes with value and in good faith.” For it’s part reports went on to say that, “the NBI and FBI conducted a verification of the vehicles had earlier confirmed that 11 of the 25 luxury cars were considered stolen and illegally taken from United States.” under US laws possession of stolen property and grand theft auto charges are normally filed in such cases.

US Embassy quiet: State Department in DC  “To seek justice for any US citizen victims”

For now the US Embassy and its legal attaches offices have not formally commented. But sources close to the US Investigation say several agencies – from DHS-ICE, BAFT, and, the FBI are looking into the entire case.

Meanwhile, the Bike, a Harley Davidson custom motorcycle seized by Police. “Is no longer in the Philippines, and, as a declared stolen US registered vehicle was shipped back to its owner in the US State of Texas.” a private investigation company with help from the US embassy, the NBI, and the Philippine National Police, has been quoted as saying.

“Mr Woods will get his bike back shortly.”

A senior US state department official speaking on condition of anonymity told mikeinmanila.com  “That anyone who illegally exports firearms from the United States can expect to face the full force of US law – we remind all individuals the same FBI team that took part in the operation has successfully extradited those who have violated US law in the past.”

The Philippines and the United States have a treaty of extraction and firearms and trafficking in stolen property is covered in the treaty.

BOC: Defends Gov’t action car registration “did not follow procedure” – Comm. Alvarez

Meanwhile in a press release; the Philippine Bureau of Customs considered the claims of Bigcas and his lawyer – that the vehiles were not smuggled as ‘doubtful’ – The head of the Philippines Bureau of Customs it’s Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said the vehicles seized, ” Could not be considered legally registered” in a statement the customs commissioner said that, “The LTO branches where the vehicles had been registered were not authorized to register imported vehicles.”

Commissioner Alvarez, also is seeking an explanation from the Dept of transportation and communication and the LTO as to why, “no certificates of payment from Customs were found in registration documents” per the BOC,  “An imported vehicle supported by a certificate of payment would have meant that it passed through the BOC and paid the correct duties and taxes, and without that it is considered smuggled,” Commissioner Alvarez explained.

Customs officers also are seeking from the LTO offices “The certificate that show the port of origin and port of entry of the vehicles,”  talking to the Philippine STAR BOC Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Service Horacio Suansing said the imported vehicles and motorcycles were registered in satellite offices of the LTO in Lanao and Bukidnon. and that, “Those the two LTO branches were not authorized to register imported vehicles.”

NEWS REPORTS: The other side of the story:

Owner of seized luxury cars sues NBI 

Inquirer.net -  CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—The owner of the seized luxury cars and motorcycle from a warehouse in Bukidnon has surfaced Friday to announce he sued the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to recover his merchandise and be compensated for …

Accused smuggler of ‘hot’ cars surfaces, says he’s a victim 

Philippine Star - By Jigger Jerusalem (The Philippine Star) Updated May 14, 2011 12:00 AM 0 Photo from the Facebook page of Lynard Allan Bigcas shows the car dealer beside a Hummer. Bigcas has denied allegations that he smuggled luxury vehicles from the US, …

Alleged car smuggler surfaces in Cagayan de Oro 

ABS CBN News - Jon Carlos Rodriguez – ‎ MANILA/CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A Mindanao-based car importer accused of smuggling luxury vehicles into the country surfaced for the first time since his residences in Talacag, Bukidnon and in Cagayan de …

‘Car smuggling’ suspect denies stealing luxury vehicles

Sun.Star - Annabelle L. Ricalde -CAGAYAN DE ORO — Motorcycle enthusiast Lynard Allan Bigcas surfaced on Friday to deny allegations that he stole the luxury vehicles recovered from his two rented warehouses in this city and Bukidnon last week. …