“Corruption is a cancer: a cancer that eats away at a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity; already-tight national budgets, crowding out important national investments. It wastes the talent of entire generations. It scares away investments and jobs.” — United State 46th president Joseph Robinette Biden
FOR A VERY long time, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) has been listed as one of the most corrupt agencies in the government and as such, most of those who have been appointed to head it has always vowed to rid its plantilla of officers and its rank and file as well who are involved in irregularities.
This is the same with our current Customs chief in the person of Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, whom we once met at the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel at posh Rizal Park Hotel in Luneta, Manila.
Speaking to the attending media, Nepomuceno expressed his firm commitment to cleanse the BoC of corruption. We listened well and we believed, hoping he would make good with his promise by going after those Customs officials and employees who were involved in smuggling and other wrongdoings.
So, this leads us to the case of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) field station chief Paul Oliver Pacunayen, who was relieved from his post while a thorough investigation was being made over allegations of his involvement in highly irregular transactions in the Bureau.
Pacunayen was one of those mentioned in the letter sent to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. from the agency’s concerned officials, employees and stakeholders who complained about the return of rampant smuggling in several ports.
Also mentioned involved in the irregularities was CIIS director Thomas Narcise.
But whatever happened to the investigation? Ano po ba ang naging resulta, Commissioner Nepo? Mukha yatang nabaon sa limot na ito!
And now another controversy arises as it appears there are two versions in the story behind the recent raid of a warehouse where millions of pesos worth of smuggled and fake cigarettes were seized in Santa Maria, Bulacan.
According to our source from the Bureau of Customs (BoC), the versions narrating the raid remains as a puzzle, triggering speculations as to what really transpired between the agents of the BoC and operatives of the Metro Manila Regional Highway Patrol Group (HPG) during the actual operation.
Based on a social media post by veteran broadcaster Ramon Tulfo, the Customs agents were deliberately harassed and disarmed by the personnel of the HPG National Capital Region, who forcibly confiscated the illegal cigarettes.
There were hints in the initial reports that there are a number of BoC employees who were involved in selling the smuggled tobacco products. This is true and I can bear witness since I used to buy cheap imported cigarettes from a vendor in Ongpin who told me she got her supply from a Customs agent.
Actually, the warehouse raided by the HPG-NCR is just a stone’s throw away from the facility being used by the BoC as its condemnation site for confiscated contraband.
Because of the contradicting and doubtful data and information, it has beelcome the common view that the issue is aimed at besmirching the HPG-NCR in the eyes of the public.
“Kumpleto ang mga dokumentong magpapatunay na lehitimo ang kanilang operasyon,” our source cited as he noted that there are documents proving that the raid was a legitimate operation conducted by the HPG-NCR.
“Hintayin natin ang resulta ng isinasagawang imbestigasyon para matukoy ang totoong nangyayari,” he added.
This is not the first time that Customs employees have been embroiled in controversy or in illegal or irregular activities.
* * *
FOR your comments or suggestions, complaints or requests, just send a message through my email at cipcab2006@yahoo.com or text me at cellphone numbers 09171656792 or 09171592256 during office hours from Monday to Friday. Thank you and Mabuhay!