MANILA, Philippines (Tempo) – Malacañang expressed confidence yesterday that new Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon could thwart smuggling groups despite reports on 172 missing luxury vehicles from the Subic Bay Freeport.
Presidential spokesman Edwin F. Lacierda, in a press briefing, said the government will look into the missing vehicles. “Well, I am sure it will all be looked into by Commissioner Biazon,” he said. Lacierda said it is the duty of Biazon to thwart smuggling as this is his marching orders from President Benigno S. Aquino III.
“There is a new Customs Commissioner who is in place right now and I am sure that he is fully aware,” Lacierda said. “It shows the determination of Commissioner Biazon to go after smugglers and also corrupt officials in Customs and that is something that he intends to do because those were the marching orders of the President to him,” he said. (Madel R. Sabater)