Director of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Ronald Dela Rosa
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Former Police Chief now Director of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Ronald Dela Rosa has an additional task after being chosen as president of the newly formed Anti-Crime Council of the Philippines (ACCP.)
A multi-sectoral council composed of law enforcement agencies, businessmen and other non-governmental organizations, ACCP aims to fight crimes and illicit trades particularly smuggling which is highly rampant in the country.
Dela Rosa said they are considering the adoption of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Oplan Tokhang in pursuing smugglers in the country.
“Kung ano iyong pinaka objective ng organisasyon which is to fight illicit trade iyon ang ating tutukan ngayon how to help the government fight illicit trade to particularly iyon smuggling,” said Dela Rosa.
Reports show that the government is losing P200 billion in revenue annually due to smuggling. Jess Arranza, the president of the Federation of Philippine Industries said one factor that contributes to the proliferation of smuggling activities in the country is the implementation of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. He cited as an example the rampant smuggling of cigarettes which is being blamed on the high excise tax imposed on tobacco products.
“Ikaw ba kapag bagsak ang presyo sa isang country pupunta ka? Ikaw smuggler ka, hindi ka pupunta sayang lang ang pagod mo, tutubuin mo centavo ang hinahanap nilang tutubuin piso, limang piso, sampung piso, dollar pa,” Arranza said.
(If you were a smuggler, would you go to a country where prices of goods are low? You’d be wasting your efforts earning a few centavos. Smugglers look to earn one peso, five pesos, 10 pesos, even in dollars.)
Meanwhile, the PNP expressed its support to Dela Rosa and vowed to join the agency in the conduct of Oplan Tokhang to smugglers.
“Probably ang suporta natin dito ay sa security side kung talagang mangangailangan sila ng security or enforcement coming from the Philippine National Police,” said PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.
The agency encourages businessmen to report to them incidents of smuggling and ACCP will call the attention of police to launch Oplan Tokhang. ACCP vows to file appropriate charges against personalities who are involved in such illegal activity – Mon Jocson / Marje Pelayo
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