Duterte to fire more than 50 BOC execs, personnel soon – Palace

Bureau of Customs. INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is poised to fire more than 50 Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials and workers over alleged corruption in the revenue-collecting agency.

In a Palace briefing Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said allegations of corruption were brought to the attention of Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

“Nandiyaan ‘yung corruption,” Panelo said. “‘Yung sa Customs oh, biglang ubod ng dami.”

Panelo announced Wednesday night that Duterte ordered the “freezing” of several high-ranking Customs officials and employees for “unlawful activities.”

READ: Duterte orders ‘freezing’ of Customs execs, workers

The yet to be identified Customs officials will be on floating status while the investigation is ongoing, according to the Palace official.

Panelo also clarified that Guerrero is not included in the President’s freezing order.

In 2018, Duterte fired BOC commissioners and department heads as the agency was rocked with drug smuggling scandal. /kga