BOC to monitor Northern Mindanao ports

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Region 10 has intensified its anti-smuggling drive in all public and private ports in Northern Mindanao, including Zamboanga City and Liloy town, an official said yesterday.

Following the directive of BOC Region 10 chief Ruby Claudia Almeda, Intelligence Officer Alvin Enciso said they are intensifying their campaign following reports that traders are using privately owned ports as dropoff points for smuggled goods.

The BOC is tasked to monitor more than 90 private wharfs in Zamboanga City and a private port in Medina, Misamis Oriental.

Enciso said the smuggling of rice, sugar, cigarettes and used clothes remains a problem because the agency does not have enough personnel to man all the ports. He said erring traders are using small boats to smuggle goods from nearby Malaysia and Indonesia.