Newly-installed Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said there will be no militarization of the Bureau of Customs (BOC); Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel will only be “supporting” operations at the bureau.
President Rodrigo Duterte last week said military personnel will “take over” BOC operations. The President’s decision came after he announced the replacement of Isidro Lapeña as BOC chief.
Lapeña landed in hot water due to his initial denial of claims by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino and BOC official Lourdes Mangaoang that shabu (crystal methamphetamine) with an estimated worth of P11 billion were supposedly contained in four magnetic scrap lifters. The lifters were found empty in a warehouse in Cavite. Lapeña, who has been promoted by Duterte to head the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority–a position that comes with a Cabinet rank–later admitted the drugs may have slipped past the BOC.
Guerrero’s statement on BOC not undergoing militarization follows an earlier similar statement by Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.
Panelo said the military personnel won’t hold positions but just guard BOC employees to strictly enforce laws plus “intimidate” the corrupt.
They “will be there first to make their presence felt that hopefully will intimidate those corrupt people there. (And) number 2, to assist them,” he said.
“The mere presence of these people there would I think do something right. Being there would be assisting them in that sense,” he added.
In a speech during turnover ceremonies on October 31, Guerrero–previously administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority and before that chief of the AFP–said he will “focus on addressing systemic weaknesses, implementing stronger internal safeguards, enhancing integrity systems, and building the capabilities and capacities of our workers” and push for better intelligence.
He added: “We must regain the trust of those we serve, and we must start with building trust between and among us. Without trust we will not be able to make change happen. Trust is the basic element in building teamwork that will enable improvements and innovations in our position and our service. I need to be able to trust every single member of the bureau of customs to be honest and upright and each of you needs to trust me in my commitment and capacity to lead with integrity.”
As to what happens to BOC personnel that Duterte placed on “floating status”, Guerrero said he will assess the situation first to “find out the appropriate actions that I will do.”
But he stressed the President’s instruction will be operationalizeed “within the bounds of law.”
The President’s decision to place the BOC under military personnel was hit by many sectors who claim the act is illegal and that the BOC should always be under civilian rule.
On the issue of smuggling, especially of illegal drugs, Guerrero said, “I have to know what is happening within the bureau.”
Lapeña’s achievements
At the turnover ceremonies, Lapeña detailed his achievements in the 14 months he was BOC chief. These include higher revenue collections; dismissal of personnel found corrupt; institution of one-strike policy against erring personnel; and adoption of a computerization program.
He also noted the five-point priority program he crafted when he assumed office: stopping corruption, increasing revenue collection, ensuring trade facilitation, strengthening anti-smuggling efforts, and enhancing personnel incentives, rewards systems and compensation benefits.
As to the controversy that cost him his job, Lapeña said he believes the “truth will prevail.”
He noted, “I will leave the Bureau of Customs knowing that I have done the right things the right way.”
He acknowledged “there may have been lapses in the systems and operations, but with what I told you 14 months ago, to do away with ‘tara’ and stop the practice of ‘no pasalubong’ no gift and no take policy, these are the very same policies that I have also followed.
He thanked his colleagues at the bureau, saying there are dedicated and honest men and women although there are those who also “taint” the agency’s image.
He asked BOC personnel to extend to Guerrero the support he received.
