Duterte appoints new BOC chief

Nicanor Faeldon’s detractors can finally feel relief as President Duterte concludes his period of service as chief in the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

After keeping his job for a few months even after the issue of drug smuggling in BOC has surfaced last May 26, the former chief will now be replaced by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Isidro Lapeña, as announced by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night.

The president said that “The Bureau of Customs has a rotten system. You need somebody to have a system there, a new one, and a competent military man can do it just like General Lapeña. He can do it.”

The president also gave a sneak peak on Lapeña’s plans such as his plans to do a massive reorganization in the BOC, specifically reshuffling customs personnel in various provinces.

However, the president expressed that he wants Faeldon to stay in government. He said the “Government would need Faeldon but where, I really do not know. But I said ‘You just stay there, you just coast along because I would need the services of a good, honest officer.”

Meanwhile, Lapeña’s position in PDEA will be taken over by Region 3 police director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino.

(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 08 / 22 / 17)