Duterte to Guerrero: 'Double the zeal in Customs cleanup'

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has ordered newly appointed Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero to “double the zealousness” in fighting corruption in the bureau, tagged as one of the most corrupt government agencies by the Chief Executive himself.

“When you were with the military, people were afraid of you because they said you were strict. Double the zealousness and maybe you’d have a better chance of retiring unscathed,” the President said at the oath-taking of Guerrero.

Duterte said taking the role of Customs commissioner was a “challenge” given the “long history of corruption” in the bureau. He expressed confidence that Guerrero would be able to do his job well as the former military chief is widely acknowledged as an “honest” man.

“I’ve known Jagger for several years and he is good... he is honest. I told him, protect yourself, fire them all,” he said, referring to Guerrero by his nickname.

“Maybe you can utilize the Coast Guard in the peripheral... but inside, you know Jagger, you can draw your technical men from the Army, technical men of Air Force, Navy,” the President said.

Guerrero was chief of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) before his appointment as BOC commissioner.

Guerrero, for his part, assured the public and critics of the administration that there will be no militarization in the BOC despite the President’s order that it be placed under military rule.

“Let us correct the impression that there would be a militarization of the BOC. There will be personnel from the AFP that would support the BOC but that does not mean that the BOC would be taken over by the military because clearly I’m a civilian and I am the head of the agency,” Guerrero said in his acceptance speech after formally assuming the top BOC post.

He replaced Isidro Lapeña who was transferred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Guerrero stressed that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will only play a supporting role in running the agency. He also emphasized that he is a civilian, having already retired from the AFP as chief of staff.

He expressed confidence Duterte’s order has firm legal basis. “So when he gave us instructions it is understood that we are mandated to operationalize his instructions within the bounds of law.”

He admitted they have yet to determine the extent of the AFP’s presence at the BOC or what task its soldiers and officials will specifically perform.

But he pointed out the deployment of AFP personnel would be done “at the soonest possible” time.

Guerrero revealed he has had “initial discussions” with defense officials and with AFP vice chief of staff Salvador Melchor Mison Jr. He said AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. was out of town.

He said he has yet to meet his superior Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and other concerned department secretaries to discuss in detail a transition process. “Change is imperative,” he pointed out.

The new BOC chief stressed they would only be choosing people of proven integrity.

Guerrero’s appointment came amid the controversy over the entry of 1.6 tons of shabu worth some P11 billion through the Port of Manila last July. As outrage over the discovery of the contraband grew, Duterte transferred then BOC chief Lapeña to TESDA and reprimanded him for being negligent.

“The President has previously given his guidance and it is now up to me to implement or operationalize the instructions. For now everything will have to be assessed. I have to look into the situation here in the bureau for me to find out the appropriate actions,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero told BOC officials and personnel to expect an unrelenting campaign against corruption.

“We must regain the trust of whom we serve. Without trust we cannot make change happen. Trust is a basic element in building teamwork,” he said.

Guerrero said he would make sure his leadership would bring positive changes to the BOC.

“I should be aware of what’s happening within the bureau and within the other areas that have problems in graft and corruption.” He said his previous experience as Marina chief would help him tackle challenges in Customs.

Meanwhile, Lapeña reported that under his 14- month long leadership, BOC was able to exceed its collection target.

“Based on the latest preliminary record of the financial service from January to Oct. 29, the bureau has already exceeded its collection target for the period amounting to P15.03 billion. I will request the incoming commissioner… to work out the rewards that the bureau employees lawfully deserve if the BOC exceed its target for this year,” he said.

In just 10 months, the BOC has already collected P481.72 billion representing 82.9 percent of the collection target for 2018.

“I will leave the BOC knowing that I have done the right things, the right way. There may have been lapses in the systems and operations, but with what I told you 14 months ago, to do away with ‘tara’ and stop the practice of ‘no pasalubong,’ no gift and no take policy – these are the very same policies that I have also followed,” he said. – With Jaime Laude