The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the exemption from the gun ban of two Bureau of Customs agencies: Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS).

ESS director Nestorio Gualberto said they were given an exemption recently from the gun ban being implemented by Comelec and Philippine National Police (PNP)ahead of the May 10 elections.

“As a law enforcement body, we will be able to perform our functions in securing the ports and curb smuggling of contraband items with the exemption given to us by Comelec,” he said.

The official said the gun ban exemptions were granted to Customs police detailed in all the 17 collection ports nationwide while performing their respective field assignments.

ESS and intelligence officials are pleased over Comelec's speedy approval of their gun ban exemption considering that the ports are the country's first line of defense.

Meanwhile, the selection process for Collector V item in the BoC has began with some 50 Customs officials vying for the one and only position.

“The aspirants for the positions are mostly Collector IV who seeks a promotion,” a Custom official, who requested anonymity, said.

The bureau has requested four new items for Collector V in light of the expansion being eyed by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales himself.