Duterte, Senate leaders meet to tackle drug smuggling scandal at BOC

The Bureau of Customs (BOC). FILE PHOTO

President Duterte has summoned Senate leaders in Malacañang to discuss the shabu smuggling scandal that rocked the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for days.

This was a day after the Senate blue ribbon committee investigated the shipment of 605 kilograms of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth P6.4 billion that sneaked past the systems of the Customs last May.

In an ambush interview, Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said Duterte called him and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon for a meeting at Malacañang.

The Senate’s regular session was also adjourned earlier to give way to the leaders’ meeting with the President.

“Naggpatawag si Presidente sa amin eh. Si Koko, ako, mga ilan kami rito. Pati si Frank inimbita eh. So ibig sabihin no’n medyo mabigat ‘yung pag uusapan,” Sotto said.

Sotto said they will find out in the meeting  whether Duterte would sack Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.

Faeldon was also summoned by Duterte. They were set to meet at 4 p.m. with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Internal Revenue Commissioner Cesar Dulay and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The BOC is under the supervision of the Department of Finance.

Asked if he would support calls for Faeldon to resign, Sotto said it’s a “necessary consequence” for him to step down from his post and take the responsibility for the agency’s failure to stop the drug smuggling.

“Sinabi niya na siya ang managot ng lahat ng ‘yan, ‘yon talaga necessary consequence no’n. Kasunod no’n mag-resign sya,” Sotto said./ac