Villar cites lack of cooperation
DESPITE President Arroyo’s orders, the Bureau of Customs has failed to coordinate and cooperate with the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group, PASG chief Antonio Villar Jr. said yesterday.
Villar said the agency has not provided the PASG with documents it has been asking since last month that would help in its anti-smuggling drive.
“I don’t know what’s taking them too long to give us the necessary documents for us to pursue the cases against suspected smugglers. President Arroyo has already instructed them to cooperate with us,” Villar said at the weekly Kapihan ng Bayan forum sponsored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
The PASG chief, however, made it clear that he is not blaming Commissioner Napoleon Morales, adding there was need for him to discipline his personnel, who are reportedly engaging in illegal activities.
Villar said he cannot see any reason why the BOC failed to give them the documents.
“In fact, we are only asking photo copies of these documents which we can use to pursue our case,” he added.
“We have been completing evidence against several smuggling cases and 50 percent of the cases we have reported turned out to have fictitious document, which why we are asking the BOC to provide us with certified copies of their original,” Villar said.
Villar disclosed that Customs Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo managed to provide them with some of the documents they need.
He cited one incident when he asked Morales for a visitation pass in connection with PASG’s operation against car dealers in Metro Manila that are being suspected selling smuggled cars.
The visitation pass is require for the PASG to inspect car exchange firms.
The BOC commissioner is the only person authorized to issue them.
Villar said it took Morales two days before he could issue the passes.
So when they tried to inspect the car exchange shops, Villar claimed that the owners manage to remove the suspected smuggled vehicles they earlier saw.
“I’m not implicating anyone but this was the reason why I decided to coordinate instead with Templo, who also heads the Bureau Intelligence and Enforcement Group,” Villar explained.
He added that the PASG is also receiving strong support from the Federation of Philippine Industries, headed by Jesus Arranza, which an organization that is helping the government in its anti-smuggling campaign.
By: Jess V. Antiporda - Journal
Villar said the agency has not provided the PASG with documents it has been asking since last month that would help in its anti-smuggling drive.
“I don’t know what’s taking them too long to give us the necessary documents for us to pursue the cases against suspected smugglers. President Arroyo has already instructed them to cooperate with us,” Villar said at the weekly Kapihan ng Bayan forum sponsored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
The PASG chief, however, made it clear that he is not blaming Commissioner Napoleon Morales, adding there was need for him to discipline his personnel, who are reportedly engaging in illegal activities.
Villar said he cannot see any reason why the BOC failed to give them the documents.
“In fact, we are only asking photo copies of these documents which we can use to pursue our case,” he added.
“We have been completing evidence against several smuggling cases and 50 percent of the cases we have reported turned out to have fictitious document, which why we are asking the BOC to provide us with certified copies of their original,” Villar said.
Villar disclosed that Customs Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo managed to provide them with some of the documents they need.
He cited one incident when he asked Morales for a visitation pass in connection with PASG’s operation against car dealers in Metro Manila that are being suspected selling smuggled cars.
The visitation pass is require for the PASG to inspect car exchange firms.
The BOC commissioner is the only person authorized to issue them.
Villar said it took Morales two days before he could issue the passes.
So when they tried to inspect the car exchange shops, Villar claimed that the owners manage to remove the suspected smuggled vehicles they earlier saw.
“I’m not implicating anyone but this was the reason why I decided to coordinate instead with Templo, who also heads the Bureau Intelligence and Enforcement Group,” Villar explained.
He added that the PASG is also receiving strong support from the Federation of Philippine Industries, headed by Jesus Arranza, which an organization that is helping the government in its anti-smuggling campaign.
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
5:39 PM
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