The Bureau of Customs (BOC) successfully convened the Inter-Agency Intelligence Summit on October 18, 2024, in Batangas, uniting intelligence units from 67 government agencies to enhance cooperation in the fight against smuggling and other illegal activities. Under the theme “Championing Border Security and Protection through Streamlined Intelligence Operations and Strengthened Inter-Agency Collaboration,” the summit underscored the BOC’s commitment in fortifying the nation’s defenses against illicit trade.

Key officials, including Secretary of Finance Ralph G. Recto, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy, and Director Verne Y. Enciso, were present at the event. In his opening address, Commissioner Rubio highlighted the collective expertise of the agencies involved, stating, “By leveraging our diverse intelligence capabilities, we can achieve far more together than any agency could on its own.” He emphasized the BOC’s critical role in the country’s economic growth, pointing out that nearly a quarter of government revenue is generated by the agency’s protection of legitimate trade and businesses.

From January to September 2024, the BOC seized 1,372 shipments of smuggled goods valued at PHP 69.2 billion, reaffirming its commitment in combating illicit trade.

The summit facilitated the exchange of best practices and deepened inter-agency understanding, with presentations on key topics such as customs jurisdictional control, vessel monitoring systems, case build-up strategies, and the integration of intelligence and technology in border management. Discussions also addressed national security concerns, including the fight against cyber threats and the national drug situation.

Secretary Recto, in his keynote address, stressed the importance of intelligence in safeguarding the nation’s borders. “From a financial perspective, intelligence is a cost-effective form of defense—it saves lives, disarms threats, and prevents conflicts,” he said, referring to intelligence as “the tip of the spear” in law enforcement. He commended the BOC’s intelligence efforts in combating economic crimes like smuggling, which negatively affect millions of Filipinos, including farmers and entrepreneurs. “Your work,” he added, “is the light that protects our nation, and for that, I thank you sincerely.”

Deputy Commissioner Uy, in his closing remarks, reaffirmed the BOC’s commitment to digitalization in support of the Department of Finance’s five-point revenue strategy. He expressed gratitude for the insights shared, noting, “The best practices discussed today will be invaluable as we continue to modernize and enhance our intelligence capabilities. We are deeply appreciative of the expertise brought by all agencies, which will help us stay ahead in the fight against smuggling.”

The BOC has now successfully held four Inter-Agency Intelligence Summits, covering Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Southern Luzon, demonstrating its steadfast commitment in strengthening inter-agency collaboration and adopting innovative strategies to secure the country’s borders. These efforts reinforce the BOC’s pivotal role in protecting the nation from economic threats and ensuring the safety of the Filipino people. ###