PORT AREA, MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) will further cooperate on maritime security and anti-corruption initiatives, as agreed by BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B Guerrero and PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Joel S Garcia.

In a courtesy visit to PCG Commandant, Commissioner Guerrero and Vice Admiral Garcia discussed how both parties could jointly manage trade and commerce in the southern border of the Philippines, in line with the ASEAN Economic Integration.

Vice Admiral Garcia has committed to support the BOC in developing its water patrol border security force by manning and operating 20 BOC-owned patrol boats that will arrive in the country next year.

Moreover, PCG will also train BOC security personnel, in support of Commissioner Guerrero’s drive against smugglers and corrupt workers in the bureau.

Finally, Captain Allen Dalangin, Commander of PCG's Task Force Aduana, has vowed to strictly implement the orders of Commissioner Guerrero to crack down all illegal activities in the BOC.

Last month, PCG and BOC have arrested one broker representative who inserted Php 240 worth of under-the-table cash to processing documents and one BOC personnel who accepted papers with Php 7,760 worth of bribe inside.