Arroyo names head of Subic anti-smuggling body

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed undersecretary Antonio “Bebot” Villar Jr., chief of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG), as head of Task Force Subic

By Tonette Orejas - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk

The top position of the task force, an anti-smuggling body at the Subic Bay Freeport, was left vacant after the death of retired Lieutenant General Jose Calimlim on November 30 last year.

In a phone interview, Villar said the appointment came through Executive Order 687 that was issued on Dec. 27, 2007. A copy he read to the Philippine Daily Inquirer said he was to assume the post "effective immediately."

Villar, a former mayor of Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan, said he would serve the Task Force Subic in concurrent capacity as PASG chief.

Asked by the Inquirer if Arroyo’s brother and his friend, Diosdado “Buboy” Macapagal Jr., had a hand in his appointment, Villar said, "No."

"I did not know about this until the President called me after Christmas," he said.

Villar recalled Arroyo as telling him: "Bebot, I'm not appointing anyone there. You take over there. You stop smuggling there."

Villar said he would "overhaul the system and make the task force perform well."

Under Calimlim, Villar said the task force had some 180 personnel and P30 million in annual budget.

Feliciano Salonga, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said he has yet to receive a copy of the EO.

However, Salonga said he had received reports that Villar would assume Calimlim's post at the task force.

"It is not unexpected," he said of Villar's appointment.

Salonga said Villar's leadership of the task force would "help prevent conflicting efforts [in anti-smuggling] and put more [muscle] into the exercise."