Ping warns BOC, PDEA execs vs smuggling cover-up

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday warned officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) against covering up the alleged smuggling of P1 billion worth of illegal drugs seized in a warehouse in Malabon City last week.

Lacson pointed out corrupt and incompetent BOC and PDEA officials were apparently trying to cover up the smuggling of 146 kilos of shabu after a warehouse worker accidentally discovered the drugs spilling out of a bag that was part of the shipment declared as containing tapioca starch.

He said Customs Commissioner Ray Leonardo Guerrero and PDEA chief Aaron Aquino must come clean on what they know about the BOC’s public auction of the drugs that officials claimed was part of their “controlled delivery” scheme or a drug sting.

“Up to now, it appears they (BOC and PDEA) are denying the drugs slipped past them. If that’s (controlled delivery) their motive (auctioning the drugs), they must come clean and admit what they know,” Lacson told dzMM.

“Because any succeeding move to cover up the incident, the more they’ll sink in one cover up after another – the more they’ll be in trouble,” he warned.

Lacson on Wednesday bared what he described was either a major blunder or a drug smuggling operation by corrupt BOC and PDEA officials with the seizure of the drugs from the warehouse of Goldwin Commercial last Friday.

He said BOC and PDEA officials claimed the auction was supposed to smoke out the real importers of the illegal drugs.

Lacson, however, said such a move was not only illegal but also stupid, as the purported drug importers knew the auctioned goods were thoroughly inspected for contraband.

He said the “tara” system or the scheme where grease money is paid to Customs officials is at the root of the entry of drugs and contraband into the country.

Lacson said Guerrero must not only lead by example but also strongly motivate his subordinates to remain clean.

The former national police chief said he was willing to meet with Guerrero to discuss what information he has on the case as well as possible reforms in the BOC.

On the other hand, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra yesterday said he would order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a separate probe into the claims made by Lacson.

“The DOJ will direct the NBI to conduct its own investigation of the subject illegal drug importation and, if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate complaint against the persons found responsible therefor,” Guevarra said. 

Even after PDEA filed a case against Chinese Xu Zhijian and 16 others allegedly involved in the importation of the contraband goods, the NBI would still conduct its separate probe, he said. – With Evelyn Macairan, Romina Cabrera