Report rice hoarders, smugglers; rewards offered --- Customs chief
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Anyone with information about smuggled goods and contraband items can send a tip to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and get 20 percent of the value of the seized goods, Commissioner Bien Rubio said on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
(From left) BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio and CIIS Director Verne Enciso (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
During a Palace press briefing, the Customs chief said there is an “existing reward system” under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
“If I’m not mistaken, it’s about 20 percent po of the value of the goods. Kapag iyong goods po na nakuha natin are goods of value na puwede nating i-auction (If the goods we confiscated are goods of value that we can auction) then they are entitled po to [the reward],” he explained.
Those with information about smuggled goods can go to the Customs’ website at customs.gov.ph under the Customer Assistance and Response Service (CARE).
“We have a link there po for all of these informants and information leading to suspected smuggled goods,” Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso shared.
A Customs Administrative Order (CAO) last year, “A Cash Reward shall be given to Informers or Whistleblowers equivalent to twenty percent (20%) of the Additional Revenues.”
“Only actual cash proceeds from the sale of Smuggled Goods and Confiscated Goods, or actual cash collection of Additional Revenues shall be the subject of reward under this CAO,” it added.
Rubio’s statement came after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed the BOC to intensify its fight against rice smuggling and hoarding.