Customs employee hit for defending balikbayan box inspections on Facebook

A Facebook user who defended the Bureau of Customs' more stringent inspection of balikbayan boxes has incurred the ire of more than a thousand netizens.

The remarks went viral after United Arab Emirates-based UFQ Social Media Group took screen shots of the Facebook posts of a certain Roussel Osena Tan, who claimed to be an employee at the BOC.

According to the posts, Tan urged overseas Filipino workers to consider BOC's position. She said that the agency imposed stricter rules because there are senders who misrepresent their packages.

"Alam nyo ba na me nagpadala ng undeclared item ang kapwa nyo kaya naghigpit ang customs... Ayan pinapakita ko sa inyo na me nagpadala ng balikbayan box and dineclara sa forwarder eh personal effects ng makita dto sa Customs kasi hnd sya ung kasing laki ng mga balikbayan box ito ay 100% examination.. At ng buksan ito ang hnd carton ito ay brand new refrigerator na hnd dineclare," she explained.

Tan in a separate post said that some also send packages with items meant for sale, not for personal use.

"Ung iba pa sinasabi ma Personal effects pero pambenta ang mga naka lagay.. Me mga machine hand tools nilalagay sa balikbayan box at idedeclara personal effects para makaiwas ng tax," she said.

She also pointed out that BOC opens boxes in front of witnesses.

"Ang pagbubukas ay me nakaharap na witness na forwarder.. Pero pagdating sa warehouse ng forwarder naisip nyo b kung hnd nila ito binubuksan???" she wrote.

Her Facebook account has been removed as of posting time.

On Monday, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said that BOC is just implementing the law to address technical smuggling.  -Trisha Macas/NB/JST, GMA News