BOC Steps up Against Corruption and Smuggling in First Half of 2022

Last July 11, 2022, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) stated that in the first half of 2022, it has escalated its fight against smugglers and its personnel while giving protection to government coffers profiting from taxes imposed on oil.

With orders from the head of Customs, Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, 27 BOC personnel were released from duty, three were dismissed, seven were suspended, and 249 personnel were moved to another port or office. These were all done from the period of January to June of this year.

The BOC stated that some personnel have been engaging in “irregular activities”

On the topic of tax revenues and border protection, in the same period of January to June, the BOC confiscated around ₱8.4 billion worth of smuggled goods across 293 joint seizure operations of its intelligence and enforcement arms.

By the end of June, the BOC had successfully seized ₱5.2 billion worth of fake items, ₱1.7 billion worth of illegal drugs, and ₱388.8 million worth of illicit general goods.

The BOC has also stopped the entry of smuggled agricultural goods worth ₱284 million from entering local markets. Aside from this, the BOC has stated that out of the 58 letters of authority (LOA) issued over the six months, 44 were able to successfully catch smugglers.

“Meanwhile, 78 alert orders were issued, 57 of which were positive for violation of pertinent customs laws, rules, and regulations,” the BOC also states.

Aside from its fight against smuggling, the BOC made sure to ensure the proper collection of import duties and taxes which amounted to a total of ₱118 billion in the first half of the year.

Source: Inquirer