JV Ejercito hopes for stricter agri-smuggling measures from new Customs chief

Senator JV Ejercito hopes that newly appointed Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio would take stricter measures against the country's agricultural smuggling problem.

"Sana po talaga ay mabantayan ni Commissioner Rubio 'yang agri smuggling para sa ating food sufficiency program," Ejercito said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(I hope Commissioner Rubio will be on guard against the agri-smuggling problem so that we can be successful in our food sufficiency program.)

"Malaki ang magiging papel niya, na gagampanan para itong smuggling at itong importation na nakakalusot ay kanyang mabantayan," he emphasized.

(He has an important role to play in guarding against smuggling and these importations that are sneaked in.)

Among the problems that Rubio should address is the supposed bribing of Customs officers, Ejercito said.

"Sa tingin ko nabibigyan ng pampabulag at pampalabo ng mata 'yung ibang tao dyan eh. 'Yun ang dapat bantayan," he said.

(I think some of the people there are being bribed and that should also be addressed.)

Last week, Malacanang announced Rubio's appointment as the new chief of the Bureau of Customs.

Before his appointment, Rubio served as director of the Port Operations Service of the BOC's Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group.

Rubio became instrumental in apprehending smuggled agricultural products and dangerous drugs during his stint as officer-in-charge of the Intelligence Division for the Manila International Container Port and the Port of Manila until 2013. — DVM, GMA Integrated News