No animosity between PNP, BOC over anti-smuggling raids
Published Jan 31, 2026 12:01 pm
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, leads an inspection of allegedly smuggled cigarettes discovered during an anti-carnapping operation in Batangas City on Dec. 31, 2025. The seized products have an estimated value of P1.1 billion, according to authorities. (Photo: PNP)
There should be no animosity between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) amid the series of successful police-initiated operations that led to the confiscation of billions of peso worth of smuggled cigarettes and other goods, a police official said.
PNP-Highway Patrol Group director Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan said they have been working closely with the BOC in various successful operations, the recent was the confiscation of over P200 million worth of a popular brand of cellphones and communication gadgets and accessories in Quezon City.
“I have to be fair with the BOC. We have been working together and there should be no animosity between the PNP and the BOC,” Marantan told reporters in an interview.
This came after a woman connected with the BOC was linked to the P1.1 billion worth of cigarettes that were confiscated in an operation in Batangas City on Dec. 31.
Based on the initial result of the investigation, the husband of the female BOC employee is the owner of the trucking service in the confiscated 14 containers of cigarette products.
“We were able to confiscate illicit cigarettes there (Batangas). We have identified personalities and you will see that when we file the case. And unfortunately, there’s an involvement of the trucker. The trucker's wife is a member of the BOC so it becomes more complicated,” said Marantan.
For its part, the Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) said the involvement of a BOC personnel in cigarette smuggling is now being investigated by the agency.
OCOM deputy chief of staff Chris Noel Bendijo said they are now working closely with the HPG to shed light on the incident following the result of the PNP investigation on the Batangas cigarette haul.
“For now, what I am authorized to say is that the Commissioner will not tolerate this if found to be true. We have issued the necessary show cause and relief orders based on this info and impose apt penalties accordingly,” said Bendijo.
“Of course, we will observe due process but we will definitely hold those responsible liable and that goes for our personnel as well,” he added.
The BOC has been conducting investigation over allegations of resurgence of smuggling and the alleged involvement of some of its personnel.
Recently, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno relieved the chief of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of the Port of Manila (POM) who was mentioned along with the head of the CIIS in the letter of complaint sent to President Marcos.
The letter also mentioned a customs broker, who was earlier identified in a Senate report as a major agricultural smuggler operating in the Port of Subic, Manila International Container Port, Port of Manila, Port of Batangas, and Port of Cebu.