The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has apprehended a hao-shiao (fake customs employee) for conducting illegal transactions at the Port of Manila.
Agents of BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, assisted by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) currently detailed at BOC, identified the individual as a certain Allan Carandang, brother of Noel Carandang who is the suspended chief of the Wharfinger Section of the Port of Manila.
Intelligence Group deputy commissioner Raniel T. Ramiro also questioned Cecile Peña, officer-in-charge of the Wharfinger Section, for allowing the Carandang siblings to have access to BOC offices, particularly to her section.
Ramiro said an investigation as well as the filing of appropriate charges will be conducted against Peña and the Carandang siblings.
“The BOC will continue with its Focused Anti-Corruption operations against erring BOC officials and employees,” Ramiro said in a statement.
Earlier this month, BOC also nabbed a hao-shiao who was allegedly collecting grease money or tara at the Port of Manila. Starting May 27, BOC enhanced the security measures in its premises by doing random checks and inspections in line with the policy of the government to ensure safety and security in the workplace.
BOC said the interceptions are a testament to its reform initiatives and continued partnership with the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in ridding the agency of corruption.
BOC, PCG, and AFP in November last year signed a memorandum of agreement to have military and Coast Guard personnel detailed at the customs bureau to help in BOC’s anti-corruption and anti-smuggling drive.
