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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider BOC, SOCTA team up vs. smuggling, organized crimes

BOC, SOCTA team up vs. smuggling, organized crimes

Published Sep 11, 2023 06:11 am

At A Glance

  • The Bureau of Customs conducted a focused group discussion (FGD) with the Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessments (SOCTA) Research Team of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).<br>SOCTA investigates and identifies criminal markets and their locations within the country.<br>The Port of Cebu leaders participated in the FGD to address setbacks in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and border protection.<br>Port of Cebu District Collector Ricardo Uy Morales II s emphasized the need for a coordinated government plan to combat illegal smuggling.<br>The SOCTA team will examine criminal networks and determine whether they operate as groups or individuals. Environmental factors contributing to serious and organized violations will be analyzed.<br>The Port of Cebu reaffirmed its commitment to the PAOCC in combating illegal trade and smuggling.

In order to counter serious and organized crimes, the Bureau of Customs held a focused group discussion (FGD) with the Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessments (SOCTA) Research Team of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

SOCTA investigates and identifies the country’s criminal markets and their areas.

The Port of Cebu leaders discussed strategies with SOCTA to address the encountered setbacks in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and border protection.

The FGD attendees were Port of Cebu District Collector Ricardo Uy Morales II, Commander SP/Captain Abdila S. Maulana, Chief Carlo A. Bautista, Xray Inspection Field Officer Saripoden S. Mutin, Chief Erwin C. Andaya, and the SOCTA research team: Atty. Jason J. Ison, Johen Feliz Lledo, Dr. Heledina A. Lagumen, and Marvin de la Paz.

During the discussion, Morales said that there must be a coordinated plan from the whole of the government to fight illegal smuggling of goods.

Because of this, the SOCTA team will also look over networks involved in these crimes and identify whether they are working as groups or as individuals.

Furthermore, they will also analyze the country’s environmental factors that make criminals act upon serious and organized violations.

“We hope that our input in the FGD will serve as a basis for future policy recommendations. The Port of Cebu reaffirms our commitment to the PAOCC as a partner in combating illegal trade and smuggling,” said Morales.

Morales also thanked the PAOCC for adding the Port of Cebu to its SOCTA.

Customs remains committed to creating a safer and more secure trading environment under Morales and Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio.

“With the strong collaboration with PAOCC and other partner agencies, the Port shall relentlessly pursue our ‘whole of government’ approach against the entry of smuggled goods,” he added.

From the start of the year until July 25, Customs held 654 seizure operations against illegal smuggling. (Gabriell Christel Galang)

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