The Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the Davao Region (BOC-Davao) deployed Wednesday two new fast patrol boats to go after smugglers at sea.
“The mere fact that we have these (fast boats) sailing in our seas, it will serve as a strong deterrent for anybody who is thinking of breaking customs laws, rules, and regulations,” lawyer Erastus Sandino Austria, BOC-Davao district collector, said in a press briefing here.
Sandino said the maritime assets will be managed along with partner agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Police, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Philippine Navy.
“This is a nationwide project of BOC, it is a priority to provide fast patrol crafts to those with large coastlines. It includes the Port of Davao or Collection District 12,” he said.
Austria added that the partnership between BOC and other law enforcement agencies remains very strong and that they have set the standards for every other collection district nationwide.
“Today we mark another milestone in BOC’s journey towards becoming a world-class customs administration that is among the world’s best,” he said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
