‘If gov’t can kill drug pushers, why can’t it execute corrupt Customs personnel?’- Mon Tulfo

Newly-appointed Special Envoy for Public Diplomacy to China Ramon Tulfo supports the military

takeover of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), saying that government should take the fight against illegal drugs one step further.

“I would have the most corrupt people in the Bureau of Customs executed. Like what the government is doing

to drug traffickers and minor drug players like pushers. If the government can mercilessly execute drug traffickers

and drug pushers, why can’t it execute the most corrupt personnel in the Bureau?” Tulfo told CNN Philippines’ The Source Wednesday.

Duterte’s war on drugs has left more than 4,000 killed in various police operations, while human rights groups peg the

number beyond 12,000. He had previously said that his “only sin against the country is the extrajudicial killings,” which

critics believe is an admission that the deaths are perpetrated by the state.

Tulfo’s comment comes after ₱11 billion worth of shabu found in a warehouse in Cavite last August (shabu) slipped past the agency.

Further, Duterte had ordered the military to take over the bureau. Tulfo said he agreed with the President, saying it needs the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to oversee the process.

“Mahirap kasi may pera,” he said. “Ang sabi nila, kahit na raw si Jesus Christ magiging corrupt ‘pag napunta sa Customs.”

Exchanged previous BOC

[Translation: It’s difficult since there’s money involved. They say even Jesus Christ will be corrupt once he is placed in Customs.]

Meanwhile, Tulfo said he needs any semblance of previous Customs Commissioners Ramon Farolan and Alberto Lina to assume control over the agency.

Hence, Duterte exchanged previous BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and doled out Maritime Industry Authority boss Rey Guerrero to assume control over the agency. Guerrero was some time ago head of staff of the AFP.

Tulfo said there was carelessness on Lapeña’s end, yet cleared him of inclusion in the section of the shabu shipment.

“Malinis siya; tumaas ‘yung accumulation ng Customs [He’s spotless; the gathering of the Customs increased],” he said.

Besides, recently named agent, Tulfo said one of his errands is to take up the counter medication crusade with law authorization authorities in Beijing.

“I can take a stab at conversing with government, law authorization authorities in China to catch the Chinese syndicates since China loathes drugs, hates drugs, so I can request that China capture or secure medication traffickers,” he said.