Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reminded the public that it does not offer any form of “special treatment” in exchange for money from importers, stakeholders, or brokers to expedite their shipping process.
This comes after BOC received some reports by the agency about individuals allegedly posing as agency employees and collecting money for an “enrollment” fee, promising to prioritize the processing of their documents.
According to Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, the BOC strongly condemns such acts and clarified that the agency has no such program or any similar activity in place.
He added that under his leadership, extortion and bribery will never be tolerated by the agency.
Any individual found to be involved in offering special treatment or using the BOC’s name or position for personal gain will face appropriate sanctions.
The agency is currently conducting a thorough investigation to identify those behind the so-called special treatment scheme and ensure they are held accountable.
Commissioner Nepomuceno also urged all BOC officials not to engage in any illegal activities, warning that they could face both administrative and criminal sanctions.
Earlier, the newly appointed Commissioner stated that the agency is undergoing internal reforms to remove corrupt and abusive personnel in order to restore public trust in the institution.
Meanwhile, the agency also emphasized its commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability, as well as strictly enforcing the rules and regulations under BOC laws.