The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) has warned the public against entertaining business proposals from a man who, apart from misrepresenting himself as a replacement for Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, has been linked to extortion and various scams.
Ariel Roselle Victorino, also known as Ariel Roa Victorino, allegedly a relative of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, was reported to have produced a letter supposedly signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea saying he would be taking over Faeldon’s post.
BOC, in a statement, said it has also received complaints that Victorino had extorted money from customs employees, customs brokers, and even smugglers in exchange for protection and immunity from the law.
Victorino has several pending criminal cases in the courts for estafa and fraud, BOC noted. Records reveal that the National Bureau of Investigation had previously arrested Ariel and one Hershey Victorino for reportedly duping five people applying for a U.S. visa.
In June 2013, Ariel Victorino was also accused of extorting money from garbage contractors after claiming to be the chief of Manila’s Department of Public Service.
Faeldon urged the public to disclose the names of other individuals who are extorting money in exchange for protection.
The public may call its BOC Cares hotline numbers (02) 705-6052 or 705-6000, or email boc.cares@customs.gov.ph for inquiries.
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