BOC-Cebu launches 3 hi-speed patrol boats

The Bureau of Customs - Port of Cebu and the BOC - Water Patrol Division recently launched its three high-speed water patrol crafts.

Equipped with three turbocharged engines and a global positioning system, each highspeed boat has a top speed of 45 knots and boosts Customs’ capacity to carry out crucial maritime patrol and interdiction.

In his speech during the launching ceremony, Port of Cebu District Collector Charlito Martin R. Mendoza acknowledged the patrol officers of the Bureau and its partner agencies who will be using the boats for their duties, which he called “the most dangerous job in our agency.”

Mendoza, together with SP/ Maj. Danielo Gonzales, led the ceremony to mark the boats’ first official patrol duty.

“We thank Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, who, understanding the dangers of your job, has made it a priority in his term to upgrade the Bureau’s equipment for protection, surveillance, patrolling, and with the ever-possible danger of encounter and resistance, for selfdefense and arrests,” Mendoza said.

According to BOC-Port of Cebu in their Facebook page, the three boats for on-sea operations are part of the full complement of upgrades the Bureau made over the past three years.

These include the updating surveillance and detection protocols for land-based operations such as the installation of new x-ray machines and trace detection system, improved profiling of shipments, and deployment of K9 patrol units in the container yards and warehouses.

It added that under the leadership of BOC Commissioner Rey Leoanrdo B. Guerrero, the Bureau has been upgrading the equipment, technology, and protocols of its enforcement force with the proper tools to carry out its missions.

“These three speedboats will strengthen anti-smuggling operations in the Central Visayas, especially against illegal drugs and environmental products,” it further said

Meanwhile, the BOC-Port of Cebu successfully concluded Collectors’ Conference wherein it was discussed the accomplishments and concerns of their respective collection districts.

The Bureau-wide collection performance was also analyzed, including updates on newly rolled out systems and strategies to support the programs of the Bureau.

The said event was attended by Guerrero and the bureau’s deputy commissioners, directors, division chiefs and district collectors.

Guerrero has commended the ports for the initiatives and programs they consistently implement for the betterment of their collection districts.

The commissioner emphasized that the hitting of collection targets, upgrading and refinement of intelligence and enforcement capabilities, and enhancement of trade facilitation were made possible through the hard work and conscious effort of all personnel of the Bureau.

He also encouraged everyone to continue to work tirelessly to sustain the bureau’s transformation programs.

Guerrero also awarded certificates of commendation to the Ports of San Fernando, Manila, Manila International Container Port, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark, Aparri, and Limay for hitting their assigned collection targets for April 2022.

The conference ended with the presentation of a Certificate of Commendation to the Port of Cebu for the successful hosting of the Collectors’ Conference.

Mendoza, on the other hand, presented a portrait painting to Guerrero as a token of appreciation from the men and women of the Port of Cebu. —