P10-B smuggled goods seized in 2021 first half

 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

Popular

Torre says he has no ill feelings towards PBBM, DILG chief following relief 

By Brian Campued “Look at me straight in the eye, do I look like somebody who is bitter?” This was the response of former Philippine National...

PBBM to visit Cambodia, attend UN General Assembly

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will embark on a state visit to Cambodia and later attend the...

PBBM eyes different gov’t post for Torre, Palace confirms

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is offering former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III a different position in the...

‘Organic, real people’: Gomez belies claims that PCO pays for reactors, vloggers

By Brian Campued Presidential Communications Office (PCO) acting Secretary Dave Gomez on Tuesday stressed that the PCO does not pay reactors and vloggers to support...