MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs in Cebu has assured the public that smuggled ivory products do not enter the Philippines through the province of Cebu.
“I assure you there is no smuggling of ivory tusks in Cebu. I assure you it’s not here. It’s possible these products go to Manila because the artisans are there,” BOC-Cebu district collector Ronnie Silvestre told The STAR.
Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said there are other possible entry points because of the country’s porous borders.
Biazon added that there are not enough Customs officials to man the country’s backdoors such as Mindanao.
However, he said the agency is keeping a close watch on the smuggling of ivory tusks or ivory products in the country.