Duterte appoints sacked Manila port collector in magnetic lifter mess as new Customs deputy commissioner

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a former Manila port district collector, who was fired over the controversial shabu shipments hidden inside magnetic lifters, as a deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) together with two retired generals.

Appointment papers dated March 6 but released to the media only on Saturday, May 25, showed that former Manila International Container Port (MICP) district collector Vener Baquiran is now a deputy commissioner of the BOC.

Ex-Manila port chief, who was fired over the 500 kilos of shabu shipment last year, is now back at the Bureau of Customs as deputy commissioner. Two other retired generals also appointed as deputy commissioners. pic.twitter.com/MmJZdA3r6K

— Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) May 25, 2019

In August 2018, then Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña sacked Baquiran amid the seizure of shipments at the MICP, which yielded billions worth of shabu concealed in magnetic lifters.

Meanwhile, retired Lt. Gen. Donato San Juan and retired Brigadier General Raniel Ramiro were former classmates of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerero in the Philippine Military Academy.

Ramiro and San Juan were earlier appointed as acting deputy commissioners for Intelligence Group and Internal Administration Group, respectively. — MDM, GMA News