“BOC, NBI continue to plan moves outside formal channel”—Director Matibag

NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag reaffirmed the NBI’s commitment to supporting the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and strengthening interagency collaboration as he also revealed that he and Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno continue to plan joint activities outside of formal channels.

“Lingid po sa inyong kaalaman, kahit wala po sa opisina, kami po ni Comm. Ariel ay nagkikita at nagpla-plano, nagbabalangkas ng mga maaari pang magawa para sa pagpapaganda ng serbisyo ng ating ahensya, lalong-lalo na po ng Bureau of Customs, at National Bureau of Investigation,” Matibag bared.

The NBI chief made the disclosure during the August 13 Collectors’ Conference of the BOC where he was guest of honor and speaker.

Both agency heads also conferred recognition to BOC intelligence officers who participated in the recent successful operations of the BOC and the NBI that resulted to the seizure of billions of pesos worth of illicit cigarettes in Manila and Cebu.

Two joint anti-smuggling operations conducted by the BOC and the NBI at a private wharf in North Harbor, Manila, in the last week of June, and a follow-up operation at the Port of Cebu on July 2 resulted to the confiscation of smuggled cigarettes worth more than ₱1.84 billion (Pinoy Exposé, July 11, 2026).

Matibag said the value and volume of the contraband is the biggest thus far resulting from the two agencies’ close cooperation.

“Para sa ating anti-agricultural smuggling, yung ating pong mga nahuli dun sa Manila North Harbor, sa kasaysayan po ‘yun po ang ating pinaka malaking huli ng anti-agricultural smuggling at maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong tiwala at pakikipagtulungan.”

The NBI Chief also congratulated the awardees as he expressed optimism for even stronger cooperation between the two agencies.

“Ang pagkilala natin sa ating mga CIIS personnel ngayon ay pagkilala rin sa kanilang dedikasyon, integridad, at walang sawang pagsisikap sa pagpapatupad ng batas,” Nepomuceno said for his part.

“These accomplishments were made possible through strong interagency collaboration. Malaki ang nagging papel ng ating partnership with the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies in ensuring the success of these operations,” he noted further.