Clark Freeport—The Clark Development Corporation (CDC)-Task Force Aguila (TFA) continuously strengthen their efforts against illicit trade as they seized and intercepted some P170 million worth of goods through their Intelligence Operations from October 2018 to January 2021.
This was gleaned in the report submitted by TFA Director MGen. Francisco M. Cruz (Ret.) to CDC President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan. In the same report, it was mentioned that the active operations of TFA from October 2018 to January 2021 consisted of 60 incidents of apprehensions, interceptions, and seizures which resulted in the generation of revenues for the Philippine government.
The generated revenue from fines and penalties by locators amounting to P4,248,646 went to CDC while a total revenue of P106,921, 270 from forfeited goods was submitted to the National Treasury.
Aside from their active operations on criminal intelligence, CDC-TFA has also heightened their programs against illegal online gambling, illegal foreign nationals, and detection of illegal business operations.
Various initiatives on screening potential locators, screening of winning bidders and contractors as well as protection for Clark consumers and improvement of network with intelligence community were accomplished by the CDC-TFA.
Meanwhile, in his vision to further improve their operations, Cruz has laid out capability building training and seminars for TFA personnel. These include seminars on Free Trade Zone Intelligence Operations, Elicitation, Interview, and Interrogation Techniques, and Freeport Zone Business Intelligence. CDC – TFA is motivated by its adage ‘One Team, One Creed and One Goal’ to elicit teamwork and camaraderie among employees.
Earlier, the CDC-TFA was cited by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) for their continuous efforts and support in intensifying operations against smuggling in the country.
In a statement, BoC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero thanked the CDC-TFA on the apprehension of a P50M worth of smuggled items composed of assorted smartphones, and laptops during the height of the COVID 19-pandemic here. The seizure of these items was ordered by the BoC – Clark and later on, the said items were donated to the Department of Education as learning tools for students.
