Customs police gets new head

CEBU, Philippines – Bureau of Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales has designated Capt. Jerry Arrizabal as the acting Customs Police District Commander of Cebu.

Arrizabal, who has served as the deputy district commander for operations since February 15, 2009 formally assumed his new position replacing former district commander Hernando Anonas, who was reassigned to Davao.

Arrizabal said there will be no reshuffling of personnel as the current staffing has a good composition.

“I hope we can minimize smuggling and help boost the morale of our people as well as help the district collector in his revenue efforts,” Arrizabal said.

Arrizabal is the only officer of the Enforcement and Security Service who received several awards. Last January, he was awarded as the Junior Officer of the Year for 2008 for his outstanding accomplishment and the huge number of apprehensions of smuggled goods.

He was also awarded as Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year in 1999 when he was then a team leader for operations and in the same year his district was named as District Office of the Year-Cebu.

In 1996, Arrizabal, who was then a special agent, was awarded as the Customs Policeman of the Year. Several Customs police personnel interviewed said that they are glad that Arrizabal now heads the ESS as he is a tough and disciplined official. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)