Six Bureau of Customs personnel at the Port of Subic have been relieved and temporarily transferred to the Office of the Commissioner amid an investigation into alleged sugar smuggling activities at the port, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles announced in a media briefing on Wednesday, 24 August.
According to a statement released by the Office of the Press Secretary, the following BoC officials have been relieved pending investigation: Maritess Theodossis Martin, district collector; Maita Sering Acevedo, deputy collector, assessment; Giovanni Ferdinand Aguillon Leynes, deputy collector, operations; Belinda Fernando Lim, chief, assessment division; Vincent Mark Solamin Malasmas, ESS district commander; and Justin Roman Silvoza Geli, CIIS Supervisor.
“Iniimbestigahan sila and kapag sufficient ang ebidensya, reasonable na ‘yung amount ng ebidensya, then subject to administrative proceedings na sila,” Angeles explained.
“Ang pinakamatinding penalty sa administrative case, alam naman po natin, ay dismissal from office pero without prejudice to criminal charges.”
Last 18 August, the Palace said Customs officials foiled an attempt to smuggle some 140,000 bags of imported sugar from Thailand at the Subic Port. The import permit used for the cargo was “recycled,” according to the BoC.