A well-entrenched group of pilferers at the Bureau of Customs (BoC) has struck yet again – this time, targeting high-end electronic gadgets seized recently and stored at the Port of Manila Warehouse 159.

A source from the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), who was familiar with the seizure, said the misdeclared goods have been massively “pilfered” a week before they were presented to the media last February 24.

Put in a bad light are the very Customs personnel who conducted the seizures.

The source said that “prior to the inspection, there were already four 50-inch Plasma television units and other electronic gadgets transported out of the storage facility.”

However, for some reason, the missing items have not been returned and, thus, remain unaccounted for. “So, qualified theft was clearly committed,” the informant said.

This reporter was furnished with the list of the missing items.

Along with the flat-screen TV sets, also nowhere to be found was a box of Nikon single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras; 10 pieces of Sony Portable Playstation (PSP) units; a box of JVC car stereo; and three pieces of Panasonic wireless phones, among others.

Three DKNY and Bulgary perfume bottles, three pieces of dual-shock wireless phones, and 10 boxes of G-shock Casio watches, among many others, were also missing.

The source recounted that the pilfered items were boarded on a blue Toyota Grandia by a certain CIIS (Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service) personnel.

“This CIIS personnel said they were only taken as samples,” the source added.

The heist was pulled off despite organizational meeting.

Over 400 MNLF leaders joined the meeting as well as troopers form the Philippine Army's 71st Infantry Battalion, he added.

Two of MNLF leaders present in that meeting were Datu Dima Ambil and Datu Mentokan Sunsona.

They issued a resolution calling “for the MNLF leadership and Bangsamoro leaders to exert their effort for unification and consolidation."

assurances from Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Jairus Paguntalan that the 40-footer container loaded with the electronics and appliances will be secured as long as they are under CIIS custody.

But the source said Paguntalan knew about the transfer since the CIIS personnel delivered them to the office of one of his senior intelligence officers Eric Albano.

“If reports are true that these electronic gadgets were unaccounted and transferred to his office, they have a lot of explaining to do,” he said.