Dellosa quits BOC post

MANILA, Philippines - Saying he is not expecting to keep his job under the incoming Duterte administration, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group (IG) Jessie Dellosa submitted courtesy resignation letters on Tuesday to the president-in-waiting and to Malacañang.

“I sent a letter to President Aquino and to the camp of incoming president Duterte but I do not know who received my letters,” he said.

Dellosa, a retired general who had served as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, joined the BOC in September 2013.

He assured the public that even if their days at the IG are numbered, “we would continue to remain vigilant and if we are able to spot smuggled goods then we would seize them because after all, we are still here at the IG.”

When asked of his plans after June 30, Dellosa said he would concentrate on his “apo-stolic” job or caring for his grandchildren.

He said his stint with the BOC was more challenging than his long years of service in the military.

He admitted pressures were greater at the BOC than at the AFP as it was easier to discipline soldiers. Dellosa has 200 to 300 employees at the BOC. As AFP chief, he had 126,000 personnel under his command.

“If I will compare my time in the military, the BOC was more challenging because in the bureau you do not know who your enemies are. At least with the military, you know who are your enemies,” he said.

At the IG, one should have a well-established intelligence network so he or she can determine if information obtained is legitimate or intended to mislead or destroy people’s reputation.

“In the BOC, you confront smugglers” who would “threaten and intimidate you” if they see you as a threat to their illegal activities. “They would sow intrigues, launch demolition jobs and file cases against you. In the AFP, there was no case filed against me.”