Subic Customs police chief, 24 agents sacked

SUBIC BAY FREEEPORT – Members of the police force of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) here, including the district commander, were relieved from their post yesterday for alleged involvement in smuggling activities.

Relieved from their post were Capt. Ramon Policarpio, district commander of the BoC Port of Subic, and his 24 agents.

The order, signed by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales, was issued last April 7. Their case stemmed from an incident last March when a Customs policeman and a member of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Law Enforcement Division were caught escorting four vehicles out of the Freeport.

The vehicles were loaded with imported cigarettes and liquor worth some P2 million.

Policarpio was relieved on the grounds of command responsibility after SA1 Jesus Swing of the ESS/Customs police, SBMA law enforcers and six other civilians were arrested by Task Force Anti-Smuggling escorting the vehicle containing contraband items while exiting the Morong Gate in Morong, Bataan.

The smuggled goods consist of 101 boxes of Champion cigarettes (each containing 500 reams), 3,000 bottles of Elysee sparkling wine and 120 bottles of Jose Cuervo margarita mix.

Customs police director Col. Nestorio Gualberto witnessed the turnover of command yesterday to incoming Customs police district commander Capt. Mariano Biteng Jr.

Policarpio will be assigned as deputy district commander at the Port of Cebu, while his men will be assigned to different ports in the National Capital Region (NCR).