Palace names new BOC deputy commissioner

MANILA, Philippines -  Malacañang has appointed Prudencio Reyes as the new deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Assessment Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG), replacing Gregorio Chavez, who was dismissed for extorting money from a firm that imports stainless steel products last year.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon confirmed over the weekend Reyes’ appointment. Reyes is the former director of the Port Operations Service.

“His appointment already came out. He is now in charge at the AOCG,” Biazon said.

Chavez, together with the seven members of the BOC’s Run After The Smugglers (RATS) Group – Christopher Dy Buco, Edgar Quinones, Francisco Fernandez, Alfredo Adao, Jose Elmer Velarde, Thomas Patric Relucio, and Jim Erick Acosta – were dismissed from government service and stripped of all benefits based on a decision issued by Malacañang last Jan. 26.

The Sanyo Seiki Stainless Corp. alleged that the eight BOC personnel “harassed” the firm’s officers and employees “in retaliation for the earlier case of bribery and graft and corrupt practices filed by Sanyo Seiki with the Office of the Ombudsman against certain officials, including Chavez.”