The Bureau of Customs (BOC) participated in the 37th meeting of the ASEAN Customs Enforcement and Compliance Working Group (CECWG), held from 26-28 February 2025 in Phuket, Thailand.

The Philippine Customs delegation was led by Deputy Commissioner Atty. Teddy Sandy S. Raval of the Enforcement Group (EG), alongside Atty. Melvin Joseph L. Banzon, Chief Customs Operations Officer, Audit Division II, Post Clearance Audit Group; Atty. Christopher V. Carracedo, District Commander, Manila International Container Port District Office; Atty. Justin Roman S. Geli, Field Station Chief, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Port of Batangas, Intelligence Group; and Mr. Anthony B. Escandor from the Customs Police Division, EG.

The ASEAN CECWG is a working group that is committed to protecting ASEAN societies from suspected illicit tobacco trade among concerned states, through the guidance of dialogue partners in ASEAN. The meeting focused on the working group that plays a vital role in securing the international supply chain, facilitating legitimate trade, and combating Customs offenses and fraud in the region.

Moreover, the Philippine BOC delegates presented detailed information of similar cases on enforcement and Post Clearance Audit. These local efforts align with one of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic priorities, which aim to optimize tax collection, enforce Customs laws, and promote trade and investment across various Customs Administrations.

BOC’s participation in this meeting showcases the administration’s ability to rise to the challenge through collective effort and resilience through enforcement. These partnerships with ASEAN, helps in addressing emerging challenges in global trade, and in advancing capacity-building initiatives aligned with Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio’s 5-Point Priority Program (5-PPP) on simplifying procedures, facilitating secure trade, and curbing smuggling.