Instead of being commended, elements of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Intelligence Division (CIIS-ID) who were responsible for intercepting earlier 12 container vans of smuggled goods worth at least P54 million were instead investigated and ordered suspended.

Part of the intercepted shipment was a container full of high-end electronic gadgets worth at least P30 million.

It was misdeclared as to description, classification and value by more than 30 percent in violation of Section 2503 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

For their effort, the arresting team was given on the spot commendation by their immediate superior, Deputy Customs Commissioner Jairus Paguntalan, during a press conference presided by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales last March 11, the same day an inventory was made in the presence of representatives of the broker, the Enforcement and Security Service and the media, among others.

The CIIS men’s ordeal started when they took samples of the seized electronic items. They were accused of alleged pilferage by an unidentifed source, which prompted the Customs commissioner, Napoleon Morales, to place the subject Customs personnel under investigation and relieved them from their duties pending results of the probe.

The chief of the CIIS-ID, Director Filemoneo C. Vicencio Jr., explained that the CIIS as apprehending unit is authorized to take samples of the seized items for presentation as evidence, adding that everything were all properly receipted and in order.

Vicencio also disclosed that results of the investigation conducted by the Customs Internal Inquiry and Prosecution Division (IIPD) showed that the seized items were intact and accounted for, including the samples earlier taken.

“It was found that the subject samples taken from Warehouse 159 are all intact and completely accounted for. This was also the earlier observation of Enforcement Security Director Nestorio Gualberto,” Vicencio said.

“Clearly there was no pilferage. We can only surmise that the wild accusations of pilferage were brought about by a misunderstanding of the facts or intrigues sowed in order to tarnish the good name of the CIIS-ID operations section,” he added. (Diego Cagahastian)