Broker details payoffs for corrupt Customs officials

Mark Ruben Taguba II is taken into protective custody after he spoke with senators in an executive session. Photo by Christine Avendano/INQUIRER

A broker for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) revealed in detail the amount of grease money he pays for corrupt Customs officials in exchange for the release of a cargo.

Asked by the members of the House committee on dangerous drugs to enumerate the payoffs on Monday, Mark Ruben Taguba II said brokers pay up to P34,000 to the Customs to expedite the processing of a shipment.

The said committee resumed the inquiry on the P6.4-billion worth of shipment of shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride) from China into the country.

It also granted legislative immunity to Taguba. The Senate also put him under Senate’s protective custody after implicating some officials in the alleged corruption in BOC.

Taguba said he pays “P2,000 for the BOC’s Intelligence Group, P3,000 for the port collector, P500 for Customs Intelligence & Investigation Service (CIIS), P500 for CIIS district collector, P500 for Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) director, P500 for ESS district commander, P1,000 for x-ray, P200 for Pier Inspection Division (PID), P500 for Formal Entry Division (FED), P10,000 for Import Assessment Service (IAS), and additional P7,500 for ‘section.’”

Upon the request of the lawmakers, Taguba will later identify the Customs officials who are receiving the payoffs. JE