A group of concerned Bureau of Customs (BoC) officials, employees, and stakeholders — including importers, exporters, brokers, and other citizens — has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno to intervene and look into serious allegations involving an official of the BoC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).

In a letter to the Office of the President dated 11 December that Nosy Tarsee got hold of, the BoC employees and stakeholders requested an immediate and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the official's appointment and the activities attributed to him.

“He (the official) was appointed on 30 June 2025. Since his assumption of office, numerous stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the apparent escalation of smuggling activities involving drugs, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, fuel, motor vehicles, and agricultural commodities. Reports indicate that certain groups engaged in smuggling operations have continued or have expanded their activities, allegedly with the protection or tolerance of individuals linked to (the official),” the letter read.

Further in the letter, three other individuals — a barangay captain, a private citizen, and a CIIS intelligence officer — were identified by the BoC employees as acting under or in coordination with the CIIS official.

Reports indicate that revenue collections at numerous ports, including Batangas, Subic, Surigao, MICP, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo and the Port of Manila, have seen significant shortfalls. Stakeholders attribute this to the increase in unimpeded smuggling activities.

“Additionally, enforcement efforts relating to illegal drugs remain undermined. Stakeholders report the continued entry of illegal drugs and precursor chemicals, allegedly through technical smuggling and misdeclaration schemes involving multiple container shipments,” the letter said.

The group maintained that unabated smuggling undermines lawful trade, reduces government revenue, threatens public safety, and weakens border protection.

“Ensuring accountability within the CIIS and the Bureau of Customs is therefore essential to economic stability and national security,” the letter read.