MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Monday stopped the embattled Bureau of Customs (BOC) from conducting random physical inspections of balikbayan boxes.
Aquino made the orders following his meeting this afternoon with Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Customs Commissioner Albert Lina, the BOC said in a statement sent to Palace reporters on Monday evening.
"The president has instructed the Bureau of Customs to immediately do the following: First, there will be no random or arbitrary physical inspection of balikbayan boxes. Moving forward, all containers of balikbayan boxes should undergo mandatory x-ray and K-9 examination--at no cost to the sender or the OFW (overseas Filipino worker)," the BOC said.
The agency said physical inspections will be conducted "only in cases where there are derogatory findings" from the x-ray or K-9 examination.
In the event of a physical inspection, the BOC will request the presence of an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration representative or a designated officer of an OFW association.
The inspection areas should also be monitored via closed-circuit television.
The BOC said its employees who violate the new protocols and engage in pilferage will be prosecuted and punished.
The bureau is encouraging the public to submit videos and photographic evidence of illegal acts.
"In this manner we are confident that public concerns will be addressed while enhancing the State's capacity to fulfill its obligation to our people," the agency said.
The BOC said it will hold a media and public demonstration of the new system.
Aquino: Balikbayan boxes a tangible sign of OFWs' love
The BOC said the president stressed the sentimental relevance of balikbayan boxes among OFWs and their families.
"He emphasized that OFW families view the balikbayan box as an integral part of the family relationship to nurture loved ones at home and as a tangible sign of their love and concern for their family members," the agency said.
"He also emphasized the reality that more often than not, the only people who know what are in the boxes are the people who send them and the family members who receive them," it added.
The BOC, noted, however, that there were instances when balikbayan boxes were used to break the law.
In November 2014, gun parts, ammunition and gun accessories were found in seven balikbayan boxes while 81,529 tablets of anti-anxiety drugs were misdeclared as food supplements.
In 2011, 413 Casio G-Shock watches and even a custom Harley Davidson Chopper motorcycle of a Hollywood scriptwriter, among other high end car parts, were also delivered through balikbayan boxes.
"Therefore it is incumbent on the State to uphold its duty to protect our people. But in doing so there should be no contradiction between the need to ensure the implementation of the law, the promotion of the security of the country, and the rights and privileges of our people," the BOC said.
According to the bureau, there are an estimated 1,500 containers of balikbayan boxes a month, translating to around 18,000 containers a year or around 7.2 million boxes.