BOC drops the hammer on corrupt personnel

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno confirmed that 9 of its personnel are among those to be indicted for smuggling in the 6 charge sheets for agricultural smuggling now under review by the office of Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go.

In a statement, the BOC said the inclusion of its personnel in the charge sheet is a reiteration of its “serious and uncompromising stance” against smuggling and internal misconduct under Nepomuceno’s leadership.

While the draft criminal complaints primarily named three consignees suspected of involvement in large-scale agricultural smuggling, the BOC made sure that accountability extends to its own ranks.

Even as the names of the suspects are yet to be released, it should be noted that several customs personnel at the Port of Subic were ordered detained at the Senate for allegedly lying during the series of Senate inquiries on agricultural smuggling at the port last year.

Aside from violation of Section 7 in relation to Section 14 of Republic Act No. 12022 (Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage At), the 9 Customs personnel shall also be charged for violation of Section 3 of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

RA 12022 imposes the very stiff penalty of “no bail” to smugglers by classifying the large-scale smuggling of agricultural products as “economic sabotage.”

The BOC added that 19 other Customs personnel are also the subject of administrative proceeding for neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Their alleged complicity was uncovered following a comprehensive investigation into irregularities in the importation and processing of agricultural shipments at the Port of Subic, including suspected misdeclaration and unlawful facilitation of cargo clearance, on the order of Commissioner Nepomuceno.

Failed to heed warning

It can be recalled that on assuming the top Customs’ post in July 2025, issued two crucial directives aimed at combatting corruption at the agency in a bid to restore public trust in the institution.

The first was the ‘No Take Policy’ that strictly prohibits any Customs official or employee from still committing the old practice of taking or asking for bribes to facilitate the release of cargos.

The other proscribes them from being involved in the operation or management of any customs brokerage business resulting to a conflict-of-interest situation.

After review by the DOF, the BOC said the charge sheets would be forwarded immediately to the Department of Justice for final evaluation and subsequent filing in court.