Marcos appoints ex-PDEA regional head Ruiz as acting Customs commissioner

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has designated Yogi Filemon Ruiz as acting commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

This was confirmed by Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles on Thursday.

She said Ruiz was sworn into office on Wednesday, July 20.

Ruiz previously served as regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7.

In March 2017, inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center were made to strip naked by anti-narcotics agents who conducted a drug raid in the facility.

During the greyhound operation, some illegal drugs and contraband were seized. 

At the time, Ruiz said it was necessary for the safety of both of the prisoners and operatives. 

"Let them condemn, the important thing is it was for the safety ng raiding team and safety ng prisoners. Kasi pabayaan mo 'yan ma-out of control, di ba nakita mo sa pictures, disciplined sila, nakaupo man sila, nakalinya sila di ba?" Ruiz  told GMA News Online.

"It's better to be criticized for doing something na para sa mutual safety ng raiding team and the prisoners than to think of their rights na detrimental din para sa lahat," he added. — RSJ, GMA News