(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
A total of 127 cases were filed by the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) over violations of RA 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other pertinent laws from 2020 to January 8 this year.
Of these, 75 criminal cases were filed against various importers before the Department of Justice while 52 administrative cases were filed against customs brokers before the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC).
Further, a total of 48 disciplinary administrative cases were also filed against erring Customs employees from 2019 to 2020, 18 of which were transmitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.
For 2020, 11 cases were resolved, 17 are for resolution, and 11 cases are under formal investigation.