THE effort by the Bureau of Customs to establish its own ‘Water Patrol Division’ (WPD) continues to make headway with the start of a training course for small boat operation and boat maintenance for the first batch of customs officers who would compose the WPD.
Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group (EG) Atty. Teddy Raval, last July 12, 2021, led the ceremonial kick-off of the training course, along with Customs Police (Enforcement Security Service) director, Felimon ‘Yogi’ Ruiz, BOC-ITDI (‘Interim Training and Development Division’) head, Fatima dela Cruz and, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Rear Admiral Allan Victor dela Vega.
The 25-day course involving 29 members of the WPD is being conducted with the assistance from the PCG and the BOC-ITDI.
The WPD is a unit under the Customs Police (Enforcement Security Service), which is under the EG.
“We expect the 25-day course to equip our water patrol personnel with knowledge on basic navigation, boat handling and maneuvering as well as boat operations and maintenance,” Raval said.
“The training also aims to prepare our personnel for the arrival of 20 Fast Boats which shall form as the new water assets of the BOC,” he added.
P3.5 million cigarettes seized off Zambo coast
Meanwhile the Port of Zamboanga, under Coll. Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., said they confiscated last July 15, 2021, 100 master cases of ‘King Perfect’ cigarettes worth P3.5 million.
In a report to Ramiro ang Guerrero, Barte said elements from the local Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and the ESS, with the assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the PCG and other law enforcement units, successfully interdicted a motorized wooden watercraft identified as the ‘MPB Arshan’ off the coast of Manalipa Island, Zamboanga City.
The vessel, manned by four crew members, is headed towards mainland Zamboanga when intercepted, the official added.