The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) reaffirmed their commitment to closer inter-agency cooperation in the fight against smuggling and other illicit activities as PNP-HPG Acting Director Police Brigadier General Joyce Patrick Bulaun Sangalang graced the BOC’s flag-raising ceremony.
Sangalang highlighted the complementary roles of the BOC and PNP-HPG in addressing illicit activities involving the movement of goods and motor vehicles.
The BOC brings specialized expertise in customs enforcement, trade regulation, and border protection, while the PNP-HPG contributes capabilities in vehicle identification and verification, highway enforcement, investigation, apprehension, and tracking of motor vehicles involved in criminal and illicit activities.
The HPG chief emphasized that closer coordination between the two agencies can strengthen enforcement beyond ports and customs facilities, particularly in monitoring the movement of goods and vehicles that may be involved in smuggling and other unlawful activities.
“Our cooperation must not only be measured by the number or value of vehicles and commodities intercepted.”
“Our cooperation must not only be measured by the number or value of vehicles and commodities intercepted. It must also be measured by the integrity, professionalism, and legality with which every enforcement action is carried out,” Sangalang said.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno underscored the significance of Sangalang’s presence at the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of strengthening partnerships with government agencies in addressing illicit activities that may extend beyond ports and customs facilities. He likewise expressed optimism about stronger cooperation between the BOC and PNP-HPG in the fight against smuggling.
Nepomuceno likewise cited the BOC’s strong anti-smuggling accomplishments, reporting 1,024 seizure operations in 2025 involving goods valued at ₱61.707 billion.
The customs chief added that from January 1 to September 13, 2026, the Bureau conducted 858 enforcement and intelligence operations, leading to the seizure of illicit goods worth approximately ₱22.737 billion.
“Dahil tapos na officially ang kontrobersyang ipinupukol between the HPG and the Bureau of Customs, tayo ay naniniwala na we will look forward to serving the country better and stronger with the relationship we have now with the HPG,” the customs head said.
He likewise emphasized the need for government agencies to work together amid the continuing challenges faced by the country, particularly in the fight against smuggling and other illicit activities.
“Let’s serve the country better with a stronger relationship between the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Customs.”
“Tayo ay nasa saktong panahon na napakaraming pagsubok. Patuloy-tuloy tayong magsisipag sa abot ng ating makakaya. Let’s serve the country better with a stronger relationship between the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Customs,” Nepomuceno said.
The strengthened partnership is expected to support more coordinated efforts in identifying, verifying, tracking, and intercepting vehicles and shipments potentially involved in smuggling and other illicit activities, complementing the government’s broader whole-of-government approach to combating smuggling and illicit trade.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to integrity, accountability, professionalism, and the rule of law in carrying out their respective mandates while strengthening cooperation to protect legitimate trade, safeguard government revenues, and prevent the movement of illicit goods across the country.
