The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has taken the lead in a new initiative to combat smuggling, spearheading the Inter-agency Intelligence Summit in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to curb all forms of smuggling.

The summit aimed to strengthen cooperation among national law enforcement agencies and enhance border protection measures against smuggling. Representatives from various agencies, including the National Security Council, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, were in attendance.

The focal point of the discussions was intelligence gathering, processing, and sharing to counter the proliferation of illegal drugs and the challenges of agricultural smuggling into the Philippine territory.

Summit delegates also shared their best practices and expertise, introducing innovations and initiatives in intelligence operations and law enforcement in their respective agencies.

The BOC reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient mechanisms for trade facilitation while recognizing the need for strict implementation of laws concerning border control. The Bureau emphasized that the promotion of economic growth and development in the country should be of utmost consideration in balancing its functions of border control and revenue collection.

Secretary Eduardo M. Año, the National Security Adviser, through Deputy Director General Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., extended his congratulations for the timely conduct of the summit.