(Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has recognized its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) for the “strategic execution” of the agency’s anti-smuggling operations that led to multiple successful apprehensions.
The agency recognized the services of its collection districts and offices during its 121st founding anniversary at Manila South Harbor on Tuesday.
CIIS Director Jeoffrey Tacio received the plaque of recognition from Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, recognizing the “technical proficiency” of the CIIS in helping the agency fulfill its mandate of border protection.
The office was recognized for its successful operations, at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) alone, it has seized an estimated PHP21.7 billion worth of alerted shipments, implemented Letters of Authority (LOA), and joint buy-bust operations in 2022.
Of this amount, PHP4.02 billion came from alerted shipments, PHP9.19 billion came from 50 LOAs and PHP8.43 billion from 11 joint buy-bust operations.
Last year’s total amount of apprehensions surpassed the PHP18.19 billion in 2021. Also recorded were apprehensions worth PHP1.24 billion in 2020 and PHP4.5 billion in 2019.
Among the anti-drug operations conducted with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the biggest was in Pozorrubio town, Pangasinan province on August 2022 with an estimated value of PHP2.4 billion for 360 kilos of shabu.
In March, the CIIS also seized 160 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of PHP1.088 billion in Barangay Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.
“I received the award on behalf of many of our intelligence officers on the ground who continue to do the groundbreaking work of making sense of the information they receive and ensuring the success of these operations. We’ve captured billions worth of contraband items, but this award is also a reminder of the big work that still lies in front of us,” Tacio said in a statement.
He also lauded the officers and agents for their outstanding work in the past year.
“This is proof that working together leads to great things. I am not only proud of what our people have done last year, but I am looking forward to what more we can do for our kababayans who rely on us to protect their livelihoods, ensure the fair prices of goods, and free our streets of contraband items,” the BOC official added.
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno graced the event as guest of honor and speaker, representing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PNA)
