The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has forged an alliance with Chinese counterparts to further boost Manila and Beijing’s anti-smuggling efforts and eliminate the illicit trade.
According to Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon, the Philippines has discussed with members of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the General Administration of China Customs initiatives and countermeasures to put a stop to activities estimated to cost the nation’s coffers some P300 million a day in foregone revenues.
“This renewed commitment of both China and Philippine customs to fight smuggling is a strong signal and warning to smugglers to rethink and stop their illegal trade,” Faeldon said.
Quan Li, chief of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Xiamen Customs, led the courtesy call to the Office of the Commissioner, together with Xiang Yang Di, deputy director of the First Investigation; Xenchu Xu, head of the Third Section of Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Xiamen, Gaoqui Airport Customs; Xhixing Wang and Lingzhi Peng, members of Xiamen Customs’
Anti-Smuggling Bureau.
The Chinese delegation expressed confidence that the customs officials of both countries will redouble efforts at a more effective information sharing and intelligence work focused onanti-smuggling operations.
At the meeting, the customs officials also exchanged inputs on how to strengthen and improve communication strategies to put a stop to smuggling on an international scale.
Faeldon said Philippine customs continue to be on guard against smuggling, and that international cooperation is significant in this campaign.
Earlier the customs commissioner ordered the heads of all 17 ports under the BOC to conduct an investigation on the seven kilos of drugs that were found at a Las Piñas warehouse.
Faeldon added the BOC would closely coordinate with the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group to deepen the investigation into the matter and establish whether the suspects were into the trading business or importation of goods.
Stricter border enforcement by the BOC has resulted in the confiscation of a shipment with P600,000 worth of controlled chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs in Aparri, Cagayan.
Faeldon said upgrading the BOC facilities remain the bureau’s priority project. Currently, the bureau is procuring additional x-ray machines and speedboats to improve its capability to guard the ports.
Image credits: Alysa Salen