via Pauline Requesto
The Bureau of Customs files administrative charges against three employees of the Manila International Container Port (MICP) after they were caught on closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the area supposedly accepting bribes in their offices.
Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said a preventive suspension was issued against the employees while pending investigation of their cases.
“I have given my orders to the concerned officials of the Investigation Division to expedite the probe and once proven guilty, criminal complaints will be filed against them before the Office of the Ombudsman,” Faeldon said.
The said employees were seen accepting money from brokers on several instances while processing entries at the port.
“After four months of monitoring, the CCTV footages will serve as a strong evidence against them and if proven true, they should be punished,” Deputy Commissioner Gerardo Gambala said.
Nearly 400 working CCTV cameras installed in various BOC offices are being monitored 24/7 by ComCen personnel.
“We can see how vital these cameras are as countermeasures to curb corruption in the bureau,” Gambala said.
Meanwhile, lawyer Vincent Philip Maronilla, the MICP district collector, shared his frustration over the incident claiming “there is no place for any corrupt officials at the MICP.”
“We will make sure that the full strength of the law will be applied to these employees,” Maronilla said. (BOC-PR)
