Customs man tagged in ‘tara’ racket sent to Mindanao

Bureau of Customs. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) official who is being accused of receiving millions of pesos worth of “tara” or grease money, has been reassigned to Mindanao.

In a statement, the BOC said Special Police Captain Arnel A. Baylosis has been reassigned to the Sub-Port of Jolo, Port of Zamboanga following the corruption case filed against him before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Based on the Customs Personnel Order signed by Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Tuesday (Aug. 23), the transfer “takes effect immediately and shall last until revoked.”

Prior to his transfer, Baylosis used to head the bureau’s Operations Intelligence Office of the Enforcement Group (EG).

During the press briefing in Malacañang on Monday, (Aug. 22), Faeldon revealed that Baylosis received millions of pesos in bribes since 2012.

“Four individuals who had direct transactions with him testified through affidavits that previously, since 2012, they had been giving bribe money. It’s called in the Customs ‘tara,’ amounting to at least P100-220 million monthly,” the commissioner said.

He said that the case was forwarded to the DOJ “so that they will be the one to conduct investigation and come up with whatever courses of action necessary.”  SFM/rga