Dellosa’s first task at BOC: Get smugglers

Former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Jessie Dellosa is faced with one tough assignment as deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC): Run after individuals and corporations listed in the agency’s “order of battle.”

President Aquino appointed Dellosa deputy commissioner for the BOC Enforcement Group, replacing Horacio Suansing Jr., after a revamp at the graft-ridden agency.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said in an interview that the order of battle would be endorsed to Dellosa for the BOC Enforcement Group to work on.

Biazon earlier ordered the BOC Intelligence Group to come up with an order of battle identifying individuals and corporations believed involved in smuggling.

“It’s a watch list of high-risk importers and brokers. Their activities and transactions with the bureau should be closely monitored for possible violations of customs law,” he said.

Dellosa was also designated acting chief of the intelligence group, which used to be headed by resigned BOC deputy commissioner Danilo Lim.

Dellosa said he did not consider his appointment as deputy customs commissioner a demotion.

“My math is that the BOC is a civilian agency, different from the military. In that sense, I do not see the same application of hierarchy and I do not consider this a demotion,” he said in a statement on Monday, his first day in office.

“It is a job that was offered to me and if it will allow me to serve once again, then I accept it with the same soldier’s commitment,” he added.

In an interview, Dellosa said that he had a lot of familiarization to do at the BOC but his priority would be to reform the bureau and stop smuggling.

“That is our priority… reform the bureau and at the same time increase revenue collection and stop smuggling,” he said.

“I know there is a big challenge ahead, not only for me but for all of us in the BOC. I am honored to be part of this team, and I am looking forward to working with the men and women of the bureau,” he added.

He said he was humbled at being appointed to the post.

“I am very grateful to the President and the commissioner for their trust and confidence… I am humbled that the President and his advisers saw my qualifications for this job,” Dellosa said.

Also on Monday, Biazon met with the other new deputy commissioners—Agaton Uvero for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, Myrna Chua for Internal Administration Group and Ma. Edita Tan for Revenue Collection Monitoring Group.

Management Information Systems and Technology Group (MISTG) Deputy Commissioner Primo Aguas is reportedly out of the country.

With the 27 senior customs officials, including district collectors, transferred to the Customs Policy Research Office at the Department of Finance head office, Biazon designated officers in charge to head the different ports in the country.

They are: Agapito Panlasigui Jr. (OIC, Port of San Fernando La Union); Leovigildo Dajoya (Port of Manila); Antonio Meliton Pascual (Manila International Container Port); Dr. Nerza Rebustes (Ninoy Aquino International Airport); Reynaldo Galeno (Port of Batangas); Chuchi Medina (Port of Legazpi); Ernelito Aquino (Port of Iloilo);

Paul Alcazaren (Port of Cebu); Julius Premediles (Port of Tacloban); Cesar Tugday (Port of Surigao); Ruby Claudia Alameda (Port of Cagayan de Oro); Darwisha Shuck (Port of Zamboanga); Samsom Pacasum (Port of Davao); Lucila Medina (Port of Subic); Oswaldo Geli (Port of Clark); Antonio Ferraren II (Port of Aparri); and Elvira Cruz (Port of Limay).