MANILA, Philippines — A deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has been ordered dismissed from government service by Malacañang after his involvement in the alleged extortion of a steel firm last year.

In a 13-page order signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., the Palace dismissed Customs Deputy Commissioner Gregorio Chavez on grounds of grave misconduct and abuse of authority.

He was also found guilty for “gross incompetence and inefficiency and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.”

Ochoa signed the order by authority of the President last January 26.

Chavez was stripped of all benefits and permanently disqualified from working in government.

“Furthermore, for respondent Chavez temporary appointment as Acting Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Customs, is deemed terminated, effective immediately,” the order read.

Chavez, who was erstwhile head of the Customs Run-After-Smugglers (RATS), has been slapped last year with a 90-day suspension after he got involved in the alleged extortion of Sanyo Seiki steel company.

The 90-day suspension has lapsed, but Customs chief Ruffy Biazon earlier hinted that Chavez will not be returning to his former post.

And the Malacañang order is the go-signal he has been waiting for.

Biazon said a replacement has been found for Chavez in the person of Prudencio Reyes Jr., director of the Port Operations Service.

He will assume the post of Chavez who was also the head of the Customs Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group before his dismissal.

Several RATS members were also dismissed along with Chavez for alleged extortion on Sanyo Seiki steel company.

They were lawyer Christopher Dy Buco, Edgar Quinones, Francisco Fernandez, Alfredo Adao, Jose Elmer Velarde, Thomas Patric Relucio, and Jim Erick Acosta.