Guerrero lashes out at name-droppers at Customs

Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero on Monday expressed dismay after receiving reports that some Customs employees allegedly used his name to collect "tara" or bribe money.

"Isang linggo pa lang ako dito ako'y nanawagan sa ating mga kasama and yet sa isang linggo ko rito anong nabalitaan ko? Ginagamit ang aking pangalan para mangolekta ng tara," Guerrero said during the flag-raising ceremony at the  Customs covered by Jun Veneracion's report on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho."

"Siguro kung bibilangin ko 'yung report at amount na ina-attribute sa pangalan ko siguro naka-P100 million na ako," he added.

Guerrero reiterated that entertaining fixers was strictly prohibited in any Customs office. He also encouraged the employees to live upright and simple lives.

"Aanhin n'yo ang yaman? Masasama n'yo ba 'yan sa kabilang buhay? Matutuwa ba ang inyong mga anak kung ang ipinamana ninyo sa kanila ay galing sa nakaw?" he said.

The new Customs commissioner also appointed two of his batchmates from the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1984 to help him oversee the operations of the embattled institution.

Retired Lt. Gen. Donato San Juan is the new acting deputy commissioner for the Internal Administration Group.

Retired Brig. Gen. Raniel Ramiro, on the other hand, is the acting deputy commissioner for the Intelligence Group.

Guerrero, however, said that there was no militarization in the Customs.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently appointed Guerrero as Customs chief, replacing Isidro Lapeña who was transferred to head the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) amid the P11 billion shabu controversy. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News