Lina ignores call for him to quit

CEBU, Philippines - Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina dismissed calls for him to resign amid the public indignation triggered by the agency’s policy on “balikbayan” boxes.

Lina, who was in Cebu yesterday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings on customs matter, said that he was just following orders from President Benigno Aquino III.

“Bakit naman ako magre-resign?” said Lina on Senator majority leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for him to quit.

Lina had just assumed his post replacing former commissioner John Sevilla who resigned few months ago because of alleged pressure.  Lina clarified that nothing has been changed in the government’s policy on “balikbayan” boxes.

“I am not retracting. I am only following the President’s directive of a one hundred (100) percent examination and then including the K-9 dogs,” Lina told members of the Cebu media.

He explained that all container vans, including those with “balikbayan” boxes, are subjected to x-ray examination. He said it is only when there are suspicious items based on the results of the x-ray that the shipment will be opened.

 “Pero kung may makikita na derogatory sa x-ray, bubuksan ‘yung boxes for physical examination,” said Lina.

Lina personally observed how an x-ray machine works in examining a container van. He said it took 10 minutes to finish checking a 20-footer container van.

According to Lina, the reports that the BoC is physically inspecting all balikbayan boxes are misleading.

“Huwag silang mag-worry, talagang part sa trabaho namin ‘yun na tingnan  ang mga boxes kung may alert or derogatory information lang. Hindi naman lahat ng balikbayan boxes are subjected to physical examinations,” Lina added.

He expressed willingness to face any investigation, even in the Senate, to explain the controversy.

Lina said that they are trying to fast-track the releasing of balikbayan boxes within two to three days from five days.

The BoC earns billions out of the taxes and duties paid for the balikbayan boxes. The government is taxing balikbayan boxes with assessed value of more than P10,000.

According to Lina, they have been strict on balikbayan boxes because some unscrupulous individuals are using them to smuggle guns and drugs.

The president had ordered the BoC to stop the physical inspection of balikbayan boxes unless there are derogatory reports. — (FREEMAN)