THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing border security through better information sharing, system integration, and coordinated efforts to combat the smuggling of illegal drugs and controlled substances.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the collaboration echoed President. Marcos’ directive to strengthen enforcement through digitalized processes, closer inter-agency collaboration, and enhanced scanning technology to safeguard the country’s borders.
Nepomuceno along with Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group Nolasco Bathan and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Thomas Narcise, and PDEA officials, discussed in a meeting the concrete measures to ensure the authenticity of import permits, streamline enforcement procedures, and address operational challenges in real time.
Both agencies also addressed operational priorities, including timely turnover of seized substances, improved inter-agency verification, and updating their accord to incorporate new protocols and close gaps that could be exploited by illegal importers.
