Customs intelligence officer decries being tagged by Lapeña in extortion

ACustoms intelligence officer, who was among the individuals the Bureau of Customs (BOC) claimed to be duping stakeholders, cried foul over the “baseless accusation” which was publicly released last week.

Intelligence Officer V Richard “Ricky” Rebong, was among the seven “unscrupulous individuals” the bureau warned about for allegedly duping importers and brokers in exchange of money. His identity with photograph was revealed by the bureau through its social media account on Sunday, almost a week after Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña issued the first warning about them.

Rebong was mentioned with a certain Ronald “Abu” Sanchez, lawyer Jimmy Patricio, a certain “Col. Mapalo,” Teofilo “Jojo” Bacud, a certain “Col. Edgardo Divina”and Dr. Jerome H. Lapeña.

“How could I have any influence over any BOC stakeholder if I am under floating status for more than four years now?” Rebong asked in his letter to Lapeña on January 26, two days after the BOC issued the first warning.

Rebong was reportedly placed under floating status since November 2013 to the present.

“All along, I have been upright in performing my duties at the Bureau, especially when I was Chief of the Intelligence Division of the CIIS (Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service),” Rebong further said.

“I have never been accused of any wrongdoing such that this baseless accusation is a huge blow to me and my family,” he added.

On January 24, the Customs bureau has warned the public to refrain from transacting with the mentioned individuals, saying that the commissioner is not asking anyone to act on his behalf and the case is “still a developing incident and reports are still under investigation.”

Two days later, Rebong wrote to Lapeña, seeking to clear his name by vehemently denying the baseless accusations against him. Rebong specifically demanded a formal investigation where he can face his accusers and their evidence, if any.