Resigned Customs official left not because of corruption

Former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Intelligence and Investigations Service Director Neil Anthony Estrella on Tuesday said he tendered his resignation because his name was compromised, and not because he was guilty of corruption.

"Siguro, isa sa mga dahilan diyan ay 'yun pong trabaho natin bilang nasa intelligence community ay na-compromise na po because of our exposure dito sa imbestigasyon," he said in an interview on GMA News' "Unang Balita."

Estrella tendered his resignation to the Office of the President on Monday last week, August 7, 2017, through the office of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.

He was one of the customs officials, named by middleman Mark Taguba, who supposedly received bribe money.

"Nakikita ko na kahit matapos po ito at na-clear na natin 'yung pangalan natin, ay hindi na tayo magiging ganon ka-epektibo katulad ng dati nating ginagawa," Estrella said.

Out of context

In the same interview, Estrella said he was not involved in corruption and that Taguba's statement was taken out of context.

"Hindi niya tayo pinangalanan. Ang tanong po ay, 'Sino 'yung head ng opisina na kanyang sinasabi?' So 'yun ho 'yung sinagot niya," Estrella said.

"Inulit pa ho 'yun at clinarfiy, kaya lang po medyo taken out of context ata at nabanggit po 'yung pangalan natin," he said. — Jon Viktor/VDS, GMA News