Policy reforms needed to curb oil smuggling, says Biazon

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Bureau of Custom Commissioner Rufino Biazon said Tuesday that one way to curb oil smuggling in the country is to implement policy reforms.

“Efforts should be made not just to catch specific persons but to change the entire system,” Biazon said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM, noting that protectors of oil smugglers are influential people in the country.

Biazon said smugglers thrive in the country because existing policies are seemingly outdated and not all ports have customs offices.

“In order to affect full reform, there should be changes in policies as well,” he said. “You do not just change the players, you change the game.”

The government is losing about P30 billion to P40 billion in annual revenue because of oil smuggling.

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.