Bureau of Customs (BOC) | FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has relieved 9 Customs personnel linked to a reported extortion incident on the Ninoy Aquino Worldwide Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 in Pasay Metropolis.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno stated the incident, which occurred in June, is now the topic of a full-blown investigation by the Inner Inquiry Division of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).
He stated the concerned personnel have been faraway from their posts pending the result of the probe.
“We take these issues critically and there can be no leniency for personnel who abuse their place. Any type of misconduct can be met with fast and applicable motion,” the BOC stated in a press release.
On the similar time, Nepomuceno reported that they’ve carried out a 24-hour criticism reporting coverage to make sure fast motion on personnel misconduct.
Likewise, a memorandum dated July 24, 2025 was issued, directing all involved personnel to report formal written complaints filed in opposition to BOC personnel to the Workplace of the Commissioner inside 24 hours.
Every report should embrace corresponding spot or incident studies and any related supporting paperwork or proof to additional institutionalize self-discipline and transparency.
The directive additionally supplies that workplaces with jurisdiction over the personnel concerned could also be instructed to submit preliminary findings and suggestions inside 48 hours of the criticism’s submitting. These might embrace proposals for preventive suspension or reduction orders, as deemed essential by the Commissioner.
READ: BOC arrests 2 brokers concerned in P1.9-M extortion bid
It additionally acknowledged that the Commissioner might act motu proprio as essential to safeguard the integrity of inside processes.
The BOC warned that “failure to adjust to the reporting requirement might outcome within the presumption of Neglect of Obligation or different administrative violations underneath the Revised Guidelines on Administrative Circumstances within the Civil Service and shall be handled accordingly.”
However, in a separate assertion, the BOC clarified that the PHP3 million talked about within the circulating report refers back to the dutiable worth of the gadgets declared and never the quantity allegedly extorted.
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“The Bureau of Customs is at present investigating the reported irregularities and the assertions made within the criticism,” it stated. /jpv
