Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. on Wednesday pushed for a “no X-ray, no entry” policy at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to ward off entry of illegal shipments like smuggled drugs into the country.
At the resumption of the inquiry of the House committees on dangerous drugs and good government and public accountability into the alleged smuggling of shabu worth P11 billion, Teves asked former Customs Chief Isidro Lapeña why can’t the agency inspect all shipments entering the country.
Lapeña said this is because of “trade facilitation” and in order to prevent delays.
“Bakit sa ibang bansa nae-X-ray lahat?” Teves then asked Lapeña, who explained that foreign countries have better and modern equipment and facilities.
“P25 billion lang naman ang kailangan bakit hindi natin magawa?” the lawmaker added, as he expressed support for the modernization of the BOC.
Lapeña, the new TESDA chief, said he hopes Congress would not just help them modernize BOC’s X-ray facilities but also support their automation.
The House joint panel also moved to issue show cause orders against sacked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Deputy Director-General for Administration Ismael Fajardo, dismissed Philippine National Police Senior Superintendent Eduardo Acierto, and eight other resource persons who failed to attend today’s inquiry despite subpoenas served to them.
PDEA Chief Aaron Aquino and former BOC intelligence officer Jimmy Guban were also present at the hearing. /muf