BOC ESS celebrates 37 years in service
THE Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) of the Bureau of Customs, reaffirmed its role of being in the frontline of guarding the country’s borders against smuggling, illicit trade and other transnational crimes as it celebrated its 37th anniversary last March 31.
In his keynote address, Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio commended the ESS, also known as the ‘Customs Police,’ for its relentless efforts in fortifying border security.
“For nearly four decades, our Enforcement and Security Service has stood as our first line of defense, serving as the enforcement arm of the Bureau of Customs.
“As someone who once served as a special agent (of the ESS), I understand the weight and demands of this role, both within our institution and beyond its walls,” he stated.
The ESS is currently headed by Acting Director Isabelo A. ‘Butch’ Tibayan III, a veteran customs police officer. It is the operational arm of the Enforcement Group (EG) headed by Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement (DCE) Atty. Teddy Raval.
In his speech, Tibayan thanked Commissioner Rubio for his support in enhancing the ESS’ operational capabilities through the procurement of modern enforcement equipment, including 100 units of 5.56 rifles, 200 units of 1911 pistols, two sets of chemical analyzers, and critical repairs and renovations of the ESS headquarters.
Raval, for his part, noted the ESS’ contributions in the country’s removal from the ‘Grey List’ of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as he credited the ESS’ role in the seizure of more than P131,796,638 in undeclared currencies entering and exiting the country.
The ESS is also credited for playing a major role in the successful apprehension of more than P85.167 billion worth of contraband and smuggled goods last year, the highest in the entire history of the BOC under any administration.
In the first quarter of 2025, the ESS conducted 243 seizure operations, resulting the confiscation of more than P25.581 billion worth of smuggled goods, for an increase of nearly 40 percent for the same period last year.
Mainly responsible for the government’s ‘Fuel Marking Program’ (FMP), the ESS also marked 19.95 billion liters of imported fuel amounting to P242.36 billion in duties and taxes.
Additionally, the ESS successfully seized over P2 billion worth of of various illegal drugs, leading to 164 cases recommended for prosecution through the Bureau’s BATAS program.
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