Gerardo Gambala has officially been named as the new deputy commissioner of the Philippine Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Management Information System and Technology Group (MISTG).
Along with Gambala, three other officials were sworn into office on January 16: former Army Captain Milo Maestrocampo, as director of Import Assessment Service (IAS); ex-Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade James Layug, as director of Port Operation Services (POS); and former colonel Henry Anthony Torres as director of the Financial Management Office under the Internal Administration Group.
The IAS and POS divisions are under the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group.
Gambala, Maestrocampo and Layug are all graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA); all took part in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003 to denounce the corruption and politicization in the military. Now Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, who was formerly a Marine captain, was also part of the mutiny.
Before being appointed MISTG deputy commissioner, Gambala, a magna cum laude graduate from the PMA class of 1995, headed the BOC’s Command Center, which serves as a command and control facility allowing the BOC chief to become aware of all goings-on in all collection districts.
On January 17, three more officials were also sworn into office. Former Marines colonel Neil Anthony Estrella was appointed director for the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service under the Intelligence Group; former Limay district collector Elvira Cruz was appointed district collector of Port of Cebu; and Maritess T. Martin as district collector of Port of Clark.– Roumina Pablo
