Controversial BBM appointee promoted to higher position at Customs

After fiasco as Port of Subic collector

On Mar 28, 2026

THROWBACK. Relieved Port of Subic District Collector Noel Estanislao, is seen shaking hands with SBMA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, during a courtesy visit. Estanislao is to assume the post of ESS/Customs Police Director on April 7, 2026 (photo: SBMA website).

FORMER police general Noel Estanislao, the relieved district collector at the Port of Subic due to rampant smuggling at the port has just been promoted, a Customs Personnel Order (CPO) approved by Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go, showed.

The CPO announcing the appointment of former police general Noel Estanislao as the new Customs Police (ESS) Director.

Under CPO B-049-2026, Estanislao has been promoted as the new Acting Director of the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS/Customs Police), effective April 7, 2026.

The ESS is the main operating arm of the Enforcement Group (EG) headed by retired police general, Nolasco Bathan.

The ESS director is one salary grade higher (SG 27) than Estanislao’s appointment (SG 26) and is currently being held by Acting Director Isabelo ‘Butch’ Tibayan, a veteran customs police officer. Tibayan is reportedly eyeing retirement from the service.

Estanislao has been relieved by Secretary Go just this month as Port of Subic District Collector after the port has been repeatedly tagged for the smuggling of agricultural products that resulted to a Senate investigation (Pinoy Exposé, March 24, 2026).

His promotion to the post of ESS director despite the fiasco proved again his personal closeness to the Marcoses, especially to President Marcos Junior.