Philippines: 9 NAIA Customs staff sacked in extortion drama

Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) wasn’t having any monkey business after a reported extortion incident rocked the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City in June.

Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno swept into action, benching 9 Customs staffers – all while a deep-dive investigation gears up, led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service’s crack team of internal sleuths.

The names of 9 personnel involved were withheld, while the probe is on, as per the Data Privacy Act.

Amid the investigation, the spotlight is on and the BOC promises a full-on probe.

Initial findings show that the suspects intercepted a 38-year-old Filipino businesswoman who had just arrived from Hong Kong, after she was found carrying four undeclared Rolex watches.

She was allegedly asked to pay ₱3.8 million (around $65,000) in “duties and taxes,” The Manila Times reported on Thursday.

However, after settling the amount, she discovered that only ₱1.8 million was reflected on the official receipt.

“We’re not playing games,” the BOC declared sternly, promising zero leniency for anyone caught abusing their badge.

Nepomuceno declared that if there’s so much as a whiff of misconduct, the hammer comes down.

To keep things squeaky clean, the BOC has introduced a round-the-clock, 24-hour complaint reporting policy — so complaints can zoom in any time, day or night.

In fact, from July 24, 2025 onward, all Customs hands must report any formal beefs about coworkers straight to the big boss’s office within 24 hours.

For extra measure, office heads who oversee accused staff must deliver their initial findings and drama-filled recommendations within a speedy 48 hours.

This can include putting staff on temporary timeout if the Commissioner deems it necessary.