Palace receives resignation letters of 2 Customs officials

Malacañang yesterday said that President Duterte has received the resignation letters of two ranking officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) following a congressional investigation on the 16.4-billion illegal drug shipment from China.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella confirmed in a statement that the Office of the President has received the resignation letters of Neil Estrella and Milo Maestrecampo.

Estrella was Director III of the Bureau while Maestrecampo was also director of BOC’s Import Assessment Services (IAS).

Abella earlier said that Duterte had no other directives for Estrella, Maestrecampo, nor Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon despite calls by lawmakers that the three should resign.

“As far as I know there’s no directive from him [Duterte] [for them] to go on leave. That’s not the President’s style to tell people what to do,” Abella had said, adding that it is up to Duterte if he will accept the resignation of Estrella and Maestrecampo.

The President, however, earlier revealed that Faeldon has asked him for relief thrice but he turned down Faeldon’s request as he believes in his integrity.

He said Faeldon asked to be fired as he cannot control the corruption in the Bureau.

“Pero si (But) Faeldon is not the one. He is not that kind of person. Hindi ko siya dedepensahan (I’m not defending him). Faeldon has written me thrice, asking me to relieve him,” Duterte revealed.