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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BOC on heightened alert amid spate of attacks on its personnel

BOC on heightened alert amid spate of attacks on its personnel

Published Feb 21, 2022 03:00 pm

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) declared a heightened security alert status following a series of killings victimizing its personnel.

In an interview, BOC Associate Commissioner Philip Maronilla said the Customs Intelligence and Customs Police has already modified its security posting that includes additional restrictions inside the BOC Building in Manila, and in various airports and sea ports.

"We have been hearing unconfirmed reports that a crime group has a hit list that includes our personnel," Maronilla told the Manila Bulletin.

For the past months, four BOC employees were killed in an ambush, the latest happened in Sta. Ana, Manila on Feb. 12 .

Gil Cua Manlapaz, 47, an information technology operator, had just entered his vehicle that was parked near his house at the corner of Pedro Gil and Pasig Line streets, when a motorcycle-riding gunman shot him on the head.

Aside from Manlapaz, BOC senior appraiser Eudes Nerpio was killed in an ambush on Jan. 7.

On the other hand, lawyer Melvin Tan and BOC assistant section chief Ryan Difuntorum survived two separate attacks last year.

A grenade exploded outside the house of BOC Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group Teddy Raval also happened on Feb. 9. He survived the attack.

A grenade was also lobbed at the Customs police office, but it did not explode.

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