Following Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s order to replace all officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the government officials at the Malacañang Palace assured that Balikbayan boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to their families in the Philippines will arrive on time.
Earlier, Duterte ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to take over the operations of the BOC.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the announcement amid the expected influx of Balikbayan boxes that will arrive in the country during the Christmas season.
Panelo said that customs operations remain normal despite the recent controversies faced by the bureau which led to the laying off of customs officials and employees.
“There is no lull or stoppage of the service provided by the Bureau Of Customs. There will be a continuity of services rendered by them,” said Panelo.
The BOC is currently being linked to drug-smuggling issues after some P11 billion worth of shabu allegedly slipped through the bureau’s screening.
“With these kinds of games they are playing, dirty games, I am forced now to ask the Armed Forces to take over,” said Duterte.
