Revamp of Customs officials starts

A revamp of district collectors and other key officials of the Bureau of Customs has started.

In a statement, the Public Information and Assistance Division (PIAD) of the Department of Finance-attached agency said Wednesday the revamp was intended to improve the bureau’s performance and meet its revenue collection targets.

The revamp, which covered 20 BOC personnel, including retired general Bonifacio de Castro, district collector at Subic Freeport in Zambales, was also “in compliance with Civil Service Commission rules and regulations on reassignments and designations,” the PIAD said.

Under Customs Personnel Order 13-126-2015, De Castro was transferred to the Office of the Revenue Agency Modernization (Oram) at the DOF head office.

Floating status

Also covered by the revamp are Ernelito Aquino, district collector of Iloilo port; Pendatun Ali, collector of the General Santos City sub-port; Samson Pacasum, collector of the Tagoloan sub-port; Jennifer Lagbas, collector of the North Harbor sub-port; Pacifico Rolando Tacub Jr., officer-in-charge of the X-ray Inspection Project of the Enforcement Group; and Ver Angelo Sumabat, chief of staff of the Anti-Organized Crime Group, among others.

Sought for comment, De Castro confirmed that he had been placed on “floating status” at the Oram.

“I have gone this far in doing my share in reforming the BOC. (But) what did I get? An unceremonious recall to Oram,” he told the Inquirer.

De Castro indicated that his strict enforcement of the Tariff and Customs Code had apparently adversely affected the illegal port activities of an undisclosed number of smugglers and their alleged protectors at the BOC.