Courtesy of the Bureau of Customs

MANILA—Customs authorities on Monday night released the rifles belonging to the Timor Leste shooting team, which were earlier confiscated at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 after local organizers of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games failed to welcome the athletes.

Airport customs district collector Carmelita Talusan confirmed to ABS-CBN News that the rifles were released after Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) representatives visited the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Monday.

The Timor Leste shooting team arrived earlier than their schedule, which led to a miscoordination with PHISGOC, she said.

The Timor Leste athletes arrived Saturday morning with 2 rifles but failed to present the required permit to transport. Local organizers then failed to welcome and assist the team due to miscommunication on their flight arrival.

Customs authorities said the rifles and other equipment were released in the presence of the Timor Leste sports officials and PHISGOC representatives following an inspection.

The BOC urged Phisgoc to provide them copies of the arrival of SEA Games delegates so that airport assistance can be accorded to all.

The agency also provided a special lane for SEA Games athletes to expedite their arrival.

Technical officials, match officials, VIPs, royalties from Brunei and foreign journalists with broadcast equipment have been assisted by BOC for several days.

"We at the Bureau of Customs-NAIA is always ready to help all the delegates. We just need an official airport representative to notify all the government agencies at the airport," Talusan said.