PCCI supports military detail at Customs

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization composed mainly of small and medium enterprises, said the deployment of military personnel at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) should transform this government agency into an efficient, transparent and lesser corrupt government agency. In a statement supporting President Duterte’s move to put BOC under military control, PCCI believes the military’s presence will be the cure to all the corruption in the agency, particularly the shipment of illegal drugs into the country. “PCCI welcomes the bold initiative of President Duterte, which can trigger total overhaul of the system and wishes both Generals Sid Lapena and Rey Leonardo Guerrero huge success in their respective assignments,” said PCCI Acting President Edgardo G. Lacson. Lacson expressed optimism that the wholesale removal of key personnel and replaced by highly trained military men would be seamless and not too disruptive of the smooth flow of trade involving customs. “With the replacement of the top leadership of the Bureau of Customs, President Duterte sends a strong and unequivocal message of his zero tolerance against corruption and illegal trade on dangerous drugs.” Lacson noted that for decades since its creation, the BOC has been perceived to be the most corrupt agency of government. (BCM)