PASG asks Aquino to review its track record

MANILA, Philippines - The Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) is fighting for survival.

PASG Director Jeffrey Patawaran asked yesterday President Aquino to thoroughly assess their track record before deciding on the recommendation of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to abolish the agency.

“We are not surprised if PASG is abolished anytime, what we are surprised of is the recommendation of De Lima, forgetting her promise of assessing first the performance of task forces before giving her recommendations,” he said.

“We are waiting for invitation from DOJ for us to present our performance report, but to no avail, so we are quite surprised hearing De Lima recommending the abolition of PASG. We are in quandary of her basis for said abolition.”

Patawaran said the PASG has received an “outpouring of support” from manufacturers and 250,000 vegetable farmers from Benguet and Mountain Province, and the Kapisanan ng Samahan ng mga Magsisibuyas sa Nueva Ecija.

“We agree to some extent (with) De Lima’s statements that we have served our purpose,” he said.

“Yes, we have arrested smugglers, apprehended P15 billion drugs, P85 million worth of cocaine, P250 million worth of loose diamonds and precious jewelry, P300 million worth of aquatic and farm products, P100 million worth of flour and rice, filed cases against more than 120 Bureau of Customs (BOC) employees and private individuals, including Commissioner Napoleon Morales and three oil firms, which resulted in the payment of billions of pesos in taxes to the BOC,” he said.

“Our lesson in seriously implementing our mandate is the fact that we increased numbers of enemies and death threats. PASG officials are convinced that smuggling is a multi billion peso syndicate and the smugglers are determined to cough more just to get anyone out of their way.”

Patawaran said the PASG is awaiting a directive from Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa or Mr. Aquino as to whom they would turn over all their case folders, evidences, equipment and custody of the P250 million of diamonds and pieces of jewelry deposited in central bank.

“All who want the abolition of PASG are either smugglers or benefactors,” he said.