3 BOC executives charged for stealing from seized shipment

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Finance’s Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS) has filed charges against three Bureau of Customs (BOC) for allegedly stealing samples from a seized shipment of household items.

In a 14-page complaint dated Dec. 7, BOC intelligence officers Mitchell Verdeflor and Eric Albano, clerk Jover Jordan, and several others were charged for allegedly violating the Tariff Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP), gross misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the government.

DOF-RIPS intelligence officers Oscar Moratin and Crispin Velarde, as complainants, said the shipment arrived on Feb. 6 at the Port of Manila. The shipment was subjected to physical examination on Feb. 22, and it was then that the suspects allegedly took samples but had broker’s representative Raul Marasigan sign the receipts.

The next day, Verdeflor and his group allegedly took more samples but Marasigan did not agree to sign the receipts, saying he realized the transaction was irregular and his boss had reprimanded him for affixing his signature to the earlier receipts.

“If they had good intentions when they took out the samples from the warehouse, they would not have tried to cover up what actually transpired,” the complainants said.