BUREAU Of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has ordered a wide-ranging revamp at the Port of Subic to restore public trust and improve operational efficiency following the port’s perennial involvement in scandals involving smuggling and other nefarious activities.
In a statement, the Customs Chief said ordered relieved is the entire Enforcement (Customs Police), Intelligence (Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service), the head of the Auction and Cargo Disposal Unit (ACDU) and the Deputy Collector for Operations, Atty. Jose ‘Bong’ Arellano.
Spared from the humiliation, investigation, and disciplinary action is Port of Subic District Collector Geniefelle Lagmay. Nepomuceno earlier told Pinoy Exposé he believes that port officials suspected of being in cahoots with smugglers “blindsided” (“binulag”) Lagmay (Pinoy Exposé, September 23, 2026).
“Wala nang panahon para sa mga dahilan at wala nang puwang para sa mga hindi sumusunod sa batas.
“I have directed a full-scale cleansing of the Port of Subic because the Filipino people deserve a Bureau of Customs that is disciplined, accountable, and worthy of their trust.
“Kung kinakailangan ang pagpapalit ng tao, gagawin natin. Kung kinakailangan ang pagsasampa ng kaso, gagawin natin.
“Kung kinakailangan ang agarang aksyon laban sa mga lumalabag, gagawin natin.
“My message is very clear: do your job, follow the law, and serve the public with integrity or face the consequences.” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.
He added his office is finalizing a new Customs Personnel Order (CPO) for the reshuffle of Subic port personnel. It would be implemented as soon as approved by Finance Secretary Frederick Go.
The Customs Chief also said the port’s operation would also be subjected to “direct weekly (rotational) supervision” by himself, the Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement and the Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence “as part of an intensified drive to strengthen accountability and discipline within the agency.”
Commissioner Nepomuceno also directed the “re-accreditation” of all the port’s third-party condemnation facilities “to ensure that only qualified and legitimate entities are allowed to participate in condemnation and disposal activities.”
Included in the smuggling charge sheet the BOC filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ) last September 22 are personnel from the Port of Subic for their alleged involvement in smuggling and the reselling of seized agricultural products destined for condemnation.
“Simple lang ang gusto natin at ‘yun ay ang maibalik at mapagtibay ang tiwala ng bawat Pilipino sa Bureau of Customs.
“Hindi tayo naglilinis para lang magpalit ng tao. Ginagawa natin ‘to para masigurong maayos ang sistema, napoprotektahan ang pondo ng bayan, at napagsisilbihan nang tama ang taumbayan,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.