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Security officials check Customs employees' desk drawers, bags in anti-tara efforts


The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has started random inspections of their offices, employees' bags as well as that of their clients amid efforts to end the practice of the "tara system" or bribery, according to the report of Jun Veneracion for 24 Oras on Tuesday.

A group composed of armed Customs Police and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) can be seen inspecting offices and wearing body cameras while conducting surprise inspections as they ask employees and their clients to open their bags.

The group is also checking desk drawers in the different offices of the bureau.

"Hindi naman na normal ang tingin ng mga tao sa Bureau of Customs. Kailangan may drastic kaming gawin para baguhin ang aming imahe, ipakita sa mamamayan na may ginagawa kami," BOC Assistant Commissioner Jet Maronilla said.

"Public office naman kami. Tingin namin, walang mava-violate na right kung ipakita namin sa publiko kunbg ano yung nilalaman ng mga mga drawer ng public offices namin," he added.

The bureau is conducting random inspections in line with a Memorandum Order issued by Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero on May 27.

The random inspections are part of the agency's security enhancement in cooperation with the Coast Guard, who will be deployed at the BOC as per a Memorandum Agreement entered into by both agencies.

"Maaring normal na reaction naman na mayroong iba, natatakot na merong uniformed personnel na gan'yan," PCG Task Force Aduana commander Captain Allen Dalangin said.

"Pero ang intensyon namin, kagaya ng sinabi ko, to ensure na maging malinis ang Bureau," he added.

Random inspections were reportedly being conducted at the BOC's largest collection districts, including the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port, but authorities are planning to conduct the same in offices nationwide.

Officials also said that inspections will especially be conducted on Fridays, the day when employees divide the bribe money collected during the week.   

The alleged persistence of a "tara" or pay-off system in the Bureau of Customs was among issues lamented by Senator Panfilo Lacson during his privileged speech last month. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News

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