BOC officers now have police powers to fight smuggling

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Customs (BOC) officers now have police powers to go after smugglers as well as importers and exporters of restricted goods, including narcotics.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero signed early this month Customs Administrative Order No. 3-2019, which covers the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, on customs jurisdiction and exercise of police authority.

Authorized to exercise police authority to enforce antismuggling laws are customs officials, district collectors, deputy district collectors, police officers, agents, inspectors and guards.

The customs commissioner can also authorize the grant of police powers to officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other national law enforcement agencies. —BEN O. DE VERA