Fired Customs exec nabbed for extortion

Bureau of Customs. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Authorities on Thursday arrested in an entrapment operation a dismissed customs official for allegedly demanding P1.6 million from a businesswoman in exchange for the clearance of “ukay-ukay,” or used clothing, seized by the bureau.

Ethel Bernas, 52, has reportedly managed to enter the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) premises at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) for the past month and engage in extortion activities.

Bernas, who previously held the rank of Customs Operations Officer III, was caught red-handed by operatives of the BOC Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) receiving P155,000 in marked money from her victim near the Naia Terminal 2.

Her scheme was discovered after the businesswoman, 39-year-old Jane Louise Balse of Pasay City, filed a complaint at the Customs police.

According to Balse’s account, Bernas offered to facilitate the release of container vans under her name, which was loaded with used clothing from Hong Kong and the United States in exchange for an initial payment of P1 million.

She said Bernas asked her for additional payment totaling P425,000, which was supposed to be intended for other BOC officials.

But even after producing the money, the shipment was not released as she was told that certain documents have yet to be signed.

Last Aug. 8, Bernas demanded an additional P155,000 from the businesswoman, who then decided to seek the help of the BOC and CIDG.

Charo Logarta-Lagamon, chief of the bureau’s public information office, clarified that importation of used clothing and textiles has long been banned through Republic Act No. 4653 “to protect the health of the Filipinos and to preserve the Filipino dignity.”

“These items are supposed to be auctioned off. There is already something illegal if she claims she can have it released without an auction,” said Customs commissioner Willy Tolentino.

Bernas, who is in police custody, is facing charges in relation to violation of the Antigraft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery and estafa.

CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong said Bernas had been previously ordered dismissed from the service but has managed to appeal her case.

The Office of the Ombudsman, in a six-page decision last June 25, ordered her dismissal after she was found guilty of grave misconduct. The dismissal was effective last July 31.

“She has been with the BOC for over 20 years as a rank-and-file employee. It is only now that someone filed a complaint against her but there may be others,” Magalong said.–With Julliane Love de Jesus, INQUIRER.net

Originally posted:  4:55 pm | Thursday, August 14th, 2014