The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has deployed four new mobile container X-ray machines to ports with high-volume scanning operations, at the Manila International Container Port, Port of Cebu, Boracay International Airport, and Port of Cagayan de Oro to ensure smooth trade facilitation while preventing the entry of illicit goods and other forms of contraband.
The BOC, which has 124 other X-ray machines deployed in all ports in the country, said the machines have high-performance scanning capability, allowing faster scanning through its pass-through mode feature, assuring precise inspection of all containerized cargoes.
The new machines—an Astrophysics fixed checked-in baggage scanner and two Astrophysics hand-carry baggage scanners—will be deployed at Boracay International Airport.
The machines will aid in detecting smuggled goods concealed in baggage in preparation for the opening of international flights in December.
In a statement, the bureau said the additional assets of the XIP have features that allow non-intrusive scans at a rate of 120 containers per hour and could produce clearer pictures of the items being scanned will significantly improve the capacity to identify smuggled commodities.
Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said customs personnel will be trained to upgrade its intelligence and enforcement operations capabilities.
The additional X-ray machines will enhance employee competence and strengthen security measures to stop smuggling and other customs fraud in the country, Ruiz added.