By Alec Go
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has already apprehended P12 billion worth of smuggled products so far this year, with an estimated P10 billion seized in the first quarter of the year.
Customs Assist. Comm. Vincent Philip Maronilla said in the Oct. 9 Laging Handa briefing that the current number has already surpassed the total worth of captured smuggled goods in 2020.
“Lalampas ng konti doon sa kalahati ng taon, nalampasan na namin iyong figures na nahuli namin last year. Humigit kumulang nasa mahigit P12 bilyon worth na smuggled items,” he said.
The official said the surplus of their collections also reached a monthly all-time high in September at P1 billion. He said their performance and border protection show their improvement in terms of corruption within the bureau.
Agri, health item smuggling
Maronilla said they have been coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the operations against agricultural products smuggling as they shift attention to agricultural goods during “ber” months.
Read more: P10-M worth smuggled red onions seized
He said they will be updating their protocols while the two agencies identify “loopholes” within their systems.
“‘Pag ‘ber’ months natin dumarating talaga itong mga ganitong klaseng produkto, either may permit, pero kadalasan marami talagang nag-a-attempt na smuggle dahil nga mura at malaki ang potential na kumita,” he said.
The BOC said it is also working with the health department against the sale of unlicensed face mask products and medicines for COVID-19.
Read more: BOC-NAIA seizes P29.33-M worth of unregistered medicines
Meanwhile, the bureau has tapped the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard to monitor ports amid the reported entry of illegal drugs in the country’s ports and waters. -rir
