Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines –Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon on Monday disputed the claim that the Philippines is the “smuggling capital of Asia.”
In an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM, the Customs chief questioned the authority of Abono chairman and Swine Development Council Rosendo So to make such a conclusion.
The customs chief said that in 2011, they signed a memorandum of agreement with Abono wherein they allowed a representative from the group to monitor their efforts against smuggling. But Biazon said that no representative from the group came to check the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) work.
“They have been complaining about smuggling of pork and I directly engaged them in discussions. We signed a memorandum of agreement which allowed their representative to monitor our work but until now they have not assigned anyone. We have opened our doors… acted on their concerns and yet they issue these press statements,” said Biazon.
For more of the interview, listen to the audio clip from Radyo Inquirer.