‘Better’ career path for Customs Police Force
Butch Tibayan, ESS Director, vows out of service
BUREAU of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno is eyeing better career paths for members and officers of the Enforcement Security Service (ESS/Customs Police) as it celebrated its 38th anniversary supporting the agency’s core mission of border protection and strict implementation of customs laws.
In his message during the ESS anniversary last April 6, Commissioner Nepomuceno commended the ESS for its dedicated, courageous, and high-risk service in support of the BOC’s enforcement mandate.
The ESS is the operating arm of the Enforcement Group (EG) presently headed by retired police general, Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement (DCE) Nolasco Bathan.
“Last year, when we were gripped by a very dark cloud during the investigations into the alleged flood control anomalies, it was the ESS that took the lead in serving the Letters of Authority that I signed and in taking the risk of going after a very influential group.
“Sabi nga in our local language, buwis-buhay ang ating trabaho, and your efforts have not gone unnoticed,” the Commissioner recalled.
The Customs chief was referencing the ESS’s role in securing the 28 luxury vehicles registered to Curlee and Sarah Discaya, the private contractors implicated in the multi-billion flood control project scam.
Their recovery for violation of customs laws, later led to their successful auctions that generated more than ₱102 million in additional revenue for the government (Pinoy Exposé, March 10, 2026).
In recognition of these efforts, Commissioner Nepomuceno also underscored the need to further strengthen institutional support for ESS personnel.
Towards this end, the Customs chief also directed the Deputy Commissioner for the Internal Administration Group (IAG) and DCE Bathan to jointly study measures to enhance the career development and professional growth of ESS officers.
He emphasized that the sacrifices of ESS personnel—marked by long hours, operational risks, and relentless pursuit of smugglers—continue to drive the bureau’s recent enforcement gains.
These accomplishments include significant interceptions involving illegal drugs, illicit cigarettes, and smuggled agricultural products, reflecting the unit’s critical contribution to safeguarding national security and economic stability.
Tibayan vows out of service
The celebration also took a further meaningful turn as the ESS and the BOC paid homage to Director Isabelo ‘Butch’ Tibayan, who is retiring after 39 years of public service, one year longer than the ESS.
Tibayan expressed gratitude for his years of service and the continued strength and unity of the ESS, noting his roots in the National Customs Police and the unit’s steadfast commitment to protecting the nation’s borders with integrity and discipline.
Pinoy Exposé earlier reported that Tibayan would be replaced by former Port of Subic District Collector Noel Estanislao, based on a Customs Personnel Order (CPO) signed by Finance Secretary Frederick Go (see related article here).
Customs records also showed that as of March this year, the ESS recorded ₱2.518 billion in dangerous drug seizures across 214 operations, already nearly half of its 2025 illegal drugs seizure last year that reached over ₱5 billion. The ESS also initiated the seizure of smuggled contrabands last year valued at more than ₱699 million.
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