Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio has emphasized the role of intelligence in safeguarding the country’s borders during the recent Inter-Agency Intelligence Summit held in Batangas. The event, attended by representatives from 67 government agencies, focused on enhancing cooperation in the ongoing fight against smuggling and illegal activities.
Secretary of Finance Ralph Recto commended the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for its proactive measures, acknowledging its essential role in maintaining community safety. “Intelligence serves as the vanguard of law enforcement,” Recto said, underscoring that reliable information can mitigate the need for armed intervention.
During the summit, Rubio highlighted the “reinforced collaboration” among agencies that has led to achievements in combating smuggling. To date, the BOC has conducted 1,414 operations resulting in the seizure of P72.091 billion worth of smuggled goods—an impressive increase over the previous year. In October alone, the bureau confiscated P3.09 billion in illicit items, including P2.3 billion in various commodities and P323 million in smuggled rice.
“This year marks a record-breaking feat in the history of the BOC,” Rubio noted, expressing optimism for future successes.
He emphasized that collaboration and shared expertise are vital to tackling increasingly complex threats. “With each agency contributing its unique strengths, we can achieve far more collectively than individually,” he added.
Deputy customs commissioner Juvymax Uy reinforced the significance of the summit, saying that the accumulation of knowledge through such initiatives enhances the BOC’s ability to facilitate trade and protect the border effectively.
Recto also highlighted the broader implications of smuggling, which is a crime that harms millions—from farmers impacted by imported goods to local entrepreneurs facing unfair competition. He stressed the need for agility and openness to innovative approaches in combating these challenges.
The summit, themed “Championing Border Security and Protection through Streamlined Intelligence Operations and Strengthened Inter-Agency Collaboration,” underscores the BOC’s dedication to fortifying the nation’s defenses against illicit trade and ensuring that communities remain safe from the detrimental effects of smuggling.
