Lapeña vows he won’t be eaten by BOC system

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Outgoing Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief and recently appointed Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña vowed that he would not be swallowed up by systemic corruption in the bureau, which he will head starting next week. 

Lapeña brushed aside insinuations that he could also be absorbed by the corrupt system, pointing out that he was able to serve the government without being accused of corruption when he was a policeman. 

“My record shows I have never been involved in any scandal and I have always worked diligently as a government official,” he said.

Lapeña promised to serve the Bureau of Customs (BOC) with integrity and dedication.

He is replacing embattled former Marine officer Nicanor Faeldon, who quit after a P6.4-billion shabu shipment slipped through Customs.

“I am happy that I have the trust and confidence of the President to become BOC commissioner,” Lapeña said.

The appointment of Lapeña also has the support of several ranking administration officials, who remember him as a no-nonsense police officer.

Aside from eradicating corruption, Lapeña is also expected to increase revenue earnings of the BOC.

Lapeña said his new job as BOC commissioner is also in line with President Duterte’s war on drugs. 

He said there is no stopping the momentum in the fight against illegal drugs as he takes up the BOC post.

“It is good that I will be with Customs because it is also one way to help curb the supply of illegal drugs from other countries. It is also along the line of the President’s aim of ridding the country of the drug menace. I think that is really why I am being placed in Customs,” Lapeña said.

He has long been among the most trusted men of the President even when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City.

Lapeña said he is ready for his new job. He met the President last Tuesday night at Malacañang to discuss his new assignment.

Lapeña, who served as Davao City police chief when Duterte was mayor, is set to take his oath as BOC chief on Aug. 29. 

“I always support the decision and wisdom of the President. I know he means well for the people he is sworn to serve and protect,” Lapeña said.

An officer-in-charge will be designated to take over the PDEA for a week, until Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino retires as Central Luzon police chief and assumes the post of PDEA director.

Aquino had also served as a police officer in Davao City when Duterte was mayor.

Faeldon led a list of BOC officials accused of corruption in a speech delivered earlier this week by Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Faeldon has hit back, accusing Lacson’s son of involvement in cement smuggling.