‘Intelligence work a vanguard against smuggling’

MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Ralph Recto recently highlighted the importance of intelligence work in government, calling it a “vanguard” against smuggling and other criminal activities.

The Bureau of Customs-Intelligence Group (BOC-IG) on Oct. 18 hosted an inter-agency intelligence summit, with the theme “Championing Border Security and Protection through Streamlined Intelligence Operations and Strengthened Inter-Agency Collaboration,” that was attended by intelligence units from 67 government agencies.

Recto told the intelligence agents present that they have been called “Patriots Anonymous” because “Where others would seek fame for their accomplishments, you avoid public spotlight. Where others would love to regale us with the details of their missions, you live by the oath of secrecy.”

“And from a finance and budgetary point of view, it is an economical form of warfare, because good intelligence saves lives, disarms threats, defuses tensions and stop conflicts and crimes from happening,” he added.

Good intelligence work serves an effective tool to thwart crime, including crimes that are economic in nature.