The Bureau of Customs’ Enforcement and SecurityService (ESS) celebrated its 37th anniversary with a report highlighting significant accomplishments in border protection and anti-smuggling operations.
ESS confiscated P85 billion worth of contraband in 2024, underscoring its aggressive enforcement efforts. In the first quarter of 2025, the service seized an additional P25.6 billion in smuggled goods—an almost 40 percent increase from the same period in 2024.
The agency’s intensified operations were instrumental in the Philippines’ removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List. Through rigorous measures against money laundering and cross-border financial crimes, ESS intercepted P131.4 million in undeclared currency.
ESS also made strides in fuel marking, verifying nearly 20 billion liters of imported fuel, which helped collect P242.4 billion in taxes. Additionally, the campaign against illegal drugs resulted in over P2 billion in narcotics seizures and 164 criminal cases filed.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio praised the ESS for its role in enhancing national security, drawing from his own experience as a former special agent. He expressed his support for the unit’s personnel, acknowledging their hard work and sacrifices.
ESS Acting Director Isabelo A. Tibayan III thanked Commissioner Rubio for his continued backing, including the provision of modern equipment and funds for ESS headquarters improvements.
The ESS’s achievements align with the Marcos administration’s efforts to strengthen law enforcement and border security, reflecting its broader national security priorities.
