Customs official clarifies suspension order

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Bureau of Customs Enforcement and Security Service defended yesterday his continued stay at head of the BOC-ESS Port of Manila detachment.

Ramon Policarpio, in a statement, said the Office of the Ombudsman has already cleared him of the charge of misconduct in the sexual harassment case filed against him by Liberty Felipe, a masseuse who used to ply her trade inside customs premises.

He said the Ombudsman recalled its previous suspension order when he said he was never given the chance to respond to allegations against him.

In an Oct. 4 resolution, the Ombudsman dismissed the case against Policarpio, noting that it took Felipe five months to file the complaint – after Policarpio barred all unauthorized persons from the BOC premises.