Latest news with #BureauofCustoms
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- General
- Filipino Times
Kidapawan OFW Families Finally Receive Long-Delayed Balikbayan Boxes
Three families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kidapawan City finally received their long-delayed Balikbayan boxes, which had been stuck in transit for years. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac personally led the turnover of the packages, underscoring the sacrifices behind each box. One family received two boxes from Kuwait that had been delayed for nearly three years. The mother of the OFW expressed deep gratitude, saying the goods were hard-earned by her child working abroad. 'These boxes carry more than just items—they hold the hard work and love of our OFWs,' Secretary Cacdac said, highlighting that the delivery of every Balikbayan box restores family dignity and fulfills a promise. The effort was made possible through the collaboration of DMW, Bureau of Customs, OWWA, and other agencies after the signing of a Joint Administrative Order and Deed of Donation aimed at resolving undelivered and fraudulent shipments. The symbolic turnover event was attended by DMW regional officials, representatives from Kidapawan's local government, and members of the OFW Federation, showing unified support for protecting the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
Customs seizes P749M shabu concealed in balikbayan boxes
Operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized a shipment found to contain illegal drugs at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). On Thursday, July 17, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the inspection of the shipment, which was seized following an inspection which uncovered 110.24 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu concealed within four boxes, with an estimated value of P749.63 million. Samples from the shipment in question were submitted to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for confirmatory testing, which later confirmed that the recovered substances were indeed methamphetamine hydrochloride. The BOC said the seized shipment will be turned over to the PDEA for further investigation in relation to violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and R.A. No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. For his part, MICP District Collector Rizalino Jose Torralba cited cooperation among the agency's enforcement units, noting that the operation reflected the effectiveness of strengthened profiling measures and inter-agency coordination. Nepomuceno, likewise, said the Customs will remain unyielding in its campaign against drug smuggling. 'We will not allow criminal elements to exploit balikbayan privileges and tarnish the trust of our overseas Filipinos. This seizure underscores our commitment to protecting the country and its people,' said Nepomuceno. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
14-07-2025
- Filipino Times
Senior citizen carrying undeclared P1.2 million cash intercepted at NAIA
A 61-year-old Filipina bound for Hong Kong was intercepted at NAIA Terminal 3 after authorities found PHP 1.2 million in undeclared cash hidden in her luggage. She was flagged during routine X-ray screening after airport personnel spotted an image resembling bundles of cash inside her trolley bag. Airport authorities, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the PNP Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP), conducted a manual inspection that led to the discovery of the concealed money. In line with international anti-money laundering agreements, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) limits travelers from bringing in or out of the Philippines more than PHP 50,000 in Philippine currency—whether physically or electronically—without prior written authorization, and any excess without approval may be confiscated by the BOC. The passenger and the seized cash are now under the custody of the BOC for serial number identification and further investigation.
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos sees spike in agri smuggling as national security threat
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is seeing the recent spike in agricultural commodity smuggling as a national security threat, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Monday. Tiu Laurel said Marcos already directed law enforcement and intelligence agencies to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) in addressing the illicit trade, which affects the country's food security. 'The President has directed the DA to throw the book at the consignees and all those involved in smuggling these agricultural products. By the end of the year, we hope to see many of those responsible handcuffed, facing charges,' Tiu Laurel said in a press release. He said Marcos is concerned about the damage these market-disruptive practices cause to local farmers, fisherfolk, and legitimate businesses. 'This not only harms the economy but fosters corruption at multiple levels,' the DA chief said. Tiu Laurel said he already met with newly appointed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre, and representatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ''to devise strategies for targeting smuggling syndicates.'' He added that customs brokers would also face legal consequences as part of efforts to enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, the Food Safety Act, and the Customs Code. Imported goods, primarily from the Port of Xiamen, are under heightened scrutiny as most of the smuggled goods are shipped out of the Chinese port, according to Tiu Laurel. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-07-2025
- GMA Network
Over P2M illegal drugs seized at port of Clark
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has stepped up its inspection of shipments from abroad after seizing over P2.2 million worth of illegal drugs in separate operations at the Port of Clark. On June 19, 2025, BOC agents intercepted a shipment from the United States declared as beauty products. However, when Customs and PDEA officers inspected the package, they found three vacuum-sealed pouches. One contained two packs of dried leaves and fruits suspected to be marijuana, weighing 1.046 kilograms and valued at P1.569 million. The other two pouches held 100 cannabis-infused cartridges worth P230,000. PDEA's laboratory confirmed the items contained marijuana. On July 3, 2025, authorities intercepted another shipment labeled as 'reading pillows.' Inside, they found 472 grams of kush, a type of marijuana, valued at P708,000. According to PDEA Region 3, the drugs were not hidden, making them easy to detect through x-ray and physical inspection. The BOC and PDEA remind the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious packages to their offices.
