The Bureau of Customs (BOC), under the leadership of Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, further enhances its border control capabilities through the utilization of the agency’s modernized Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs).
The addition of the FPVs to the BOC’s arsenal of enforcement assets significantly increased the agency’s water patrol capability. From January to September of this year, the Enforcement and Security Service-Water Patrol Division (WPD) and its District Offices conducted 265 Maritime Patrol, 60 search and survey operations, and boarded 50 Vessels of Interest, 2 of which were issued with Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSD).
The sample fuel oil taken from the vessels issued with WSDs failed to comply with the Fuel Marking test conducted by the BOC Fuel Marking Team. In addition, the said vessels left the Port of Limay without proper clearance from the concerned offices of the Philippine Coast Guard and the BOC. The officers of the vessels also failed to present proofs of payment of duties and taxes.
WSDs were issued against the vessels for violation of Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation or Exportation) and Section 103 (When Importation Begins and Deemed Terminated) of Republic Act No. 10864 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The FPV is a sea-proven high-speed interceptor that can withstand a sea state 3 while offering smooth navigation. In addition, it is equipped with Garmin Navigation systems and other standard water patrol equipment necessary to enhance the Bureau’s border patrol functions.
The BOC currently has 20 units of FPVs deployed to various ports nationwide. Two units each of the FPVs were deployed to the Port of Batangas, Port of Subic, Port of Limay, Port of Cebu, Port of Cagayan de Oro, and Port of Davao, one unit to Port of Iloilo, three units to Port of Manila, and four units to Port of Zamboanga.
The BOC, in accordance with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., vows to carry on its unrelenting efforts in protecting the country’s borders against the entry of illegal goods by strengthening enforcement and intelligence capabilities by reinforcing its port surveillance and water patrol capabilities.
