BOC forms anti-smuggling task force

FILE: Bureau of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña (Photo: Commissioner Isidro Lapena/Facebook)

MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is forming an anti-smuggling task force in a bid to intensify its fight against the illegal importation of goods and other items in the country.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the group, which will become the agency’s prosecution arm for anti smuggling activities, will coordinate with other law enforcement units in the bureau such as the Intelligence Group (IG) and the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) to forge a stronger arm against rampant smuggling.

“Ang (task force) ang principal, they will still operate but it will be in support, the IG and ESS will be in support and coordinate lahat sa anti smuggling (task force),” he said at the sidelines of a forum held in Manila on Friday.

“They still operate, for example ang IG, intelligence yan, ang kanyang operation will be on intelligence gathering, under whatever intelligence or info he gathers, he pass it on to the anti smuggling (task force),” the BOC chief added.

He said the divisions will continue to perform its functions while assuring that there will be no conflict among the sections.

“The anti smuggling (task force) will be the one that executes. Actually ang maging component n’yan sa anti smuggling (task force), the intelligence arm will be yung IG, so walang conflict sa kanilang ginagawa. Then ang enforcement arm will be enforcement group, kasi andyan naman yung enforcement personnel. And the Bureau Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) lawyers will be the investigative arm and the prosecution arm,” Lapeña said.

“BATAS will be part of the anti smuggling (task force), intel effort and operating arm, you need intel gathering para meron kang ioperate na against smuggling When you have an operation, if may accomplishment, investigation and prosecution that’s where BATAS will come in,” he added.

“Yung creation ng anti smuggling (task force) is a Department of Finance directive, kami ang magbubuo. The head would be an insider,” the Customs chief said, adding that the task force will be composed of BOC personnel.

Lapeña said the task force will operate nationwide and will have units in areas where smuggling is rampant.

“Centralized, but there will be regional operating, that will be nationwide TF, pero may area TF, initially there will be one in Zamboanga area where smuggling is rampant, Cebu, Manila area. Yung iba na hindi rampant, it will be covered by those area with anti smuggling TF,” he added. (PNA)