BOC files raps vs 9 personnel over ‘chicken lollipops’

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs yesterday filed criminal cases against 14 people, including nine BOC officials and personnel, over shipments allegedly misdeclared as “chicken lollipops” but found to contain agricultural products worth P17.5 million.

The complaints were filed before the Department of Justice in connection with six shipments consigned to Berches Consumer Goods Trading, which arrived in June 2025.

The BOC said physical examination of the shipments yielded 15,029 sacks of fresh white onions and 2,164 boxes of fresh carrots.

The agricultural products were not covered by the required sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry, the BOC said.

Complaints for violations of Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), were filed against the BOC personnel at Subic port, importer representatives and a licensed customs broker.

The BOC also cited provisions of the CMTA that penalize Customs personnel who willfully neglect duties, providing an opportunity for or failing to perform an act with the intent to enable another person to defraud the government of revenue.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service has separately endorsed administrative charges against the BOC officials and personnel to the Prosecution and Litigation Division.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the BOC would relentlessly pursue not only smugglers and their accomplices, but also any Customs official or employee found to have participated in, facilitated or benefited from illegal activities.

“We will not cover up for anyone, nor will we tolerate any violation, especially if there is an attempt to abuse our processes,” Nepomuceno said. “Whether an importer, broker or Customs employee, if there is sufficient evidence, we will file the case through the proper process.”

The BOC has so far lodged 96 criminal cases against 288 respondents.

Smuggled goods amounting to P13.7 billion have been confiscated since 2025. — Ghio Ong