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BOC seeks closer DOJ support vs agricultural smugglers

Philippines | National

BOC seeks closer DOJ support vs agricultural smugglers

By Jeffrey Damicog

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has sought a closer partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in running after and prosecuting agricultural smugglers.

BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno met with DOJ Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez on Wednesday, Sept. 3, to discuss the partnership.

In an interview after the meeting, Nepomuceno said he discussed with Vasquez the possibility of creating a technical working group (TWG) that will be composed of representatives from the BOC and DOJ.

“Gagawa kami ng team between DOJ at BOC upang magkaroon ng working group na talagang regular na magkikita, magpa-prioritize ng mga kaso, maghahanda hanggang sa documentation, hanggang pagsampa n’yan (We will create a DOJ and BOC team that will regularly meet, prioritize cases, prepare the documents and will file the cases),” he said.

He also said that it is the desire of the BOC to imprison people who violate laws on agricultural smuggling.

Thus, he said the BOC desires to have a formal memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DOJ on agricultural smuggling cases.

He also expressed the BOC’s gratitude to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla who supports the creation of an institutionalized partnership between the DOJ and BOC.

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