BOC forms new unit to monitor import, export of firearms, explosives

Bureau of Customs (BOC) | FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday announced the creation of a new unit to monitor the importation and exportation of firearms and explosives.

The BOC said the Customs Firearms and Explosives Unit (CFEU) was established in line with Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 27-2022, which states that the unit will be responsible for policies and procedures in line with Republic Act No. 10591 or the “Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunitions and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof.”

 “The CFEU is an ad interim unit that will effectively monitor the importation and exportation of firearms and major/minor parts thereof, accessories, ammunition, and controlled chemicals used in manufacturing ammunition, firecrackers, and explosives under Presidential Decree No. 1866,” said the BOC in a statement. 

Presidential Decree No. 1866 was enacted to penalize people with access to illegal firearms and explosives which may result in damage to property or loss of life.  

CFEU will coordinate with the Enforcement and Security Service at 12 ports of entry to accomplish its task, said the BOC. 

The BOC said that CFEU is part of  Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz’s efforts to stop the smuggling.

Ruiz previously stated in July that this was part of the mandate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. 

“When I talked to the president, he gave me five orders that are my marching orders: No. 1, absolutely no drugs; No. 2, no guns; No. 3, eliminate agricultural smuggling; No. 4, increase revenue generation; and No. 5, go for full automation and digitalization. Those, I intend to fulfill to the best of my ability,” Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruizsaid. 

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