The Asian Terminals Inc (ATI) clerk supposedly caught by a Bureau of Customs (BOC) CCTV camera taking a bribe, as claimed by Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, was not an ATI employee after all. The individual in question, who turned out to be an employee of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), may also have been receiving payment for a legitimate transaction.
Faeldon on September 7 called a press conference to show media a video clip captured on September 5 where he said an ATI employee assigned at Window 1 of Room 104 at the BOC-Port of Manila building was “receiving money from importers/brokers transacting and processing papers to avail gate passes.”
In a statement issued on September 7, BOC claimed “the video clip shows the said employee trying to conceal her actions from the camera mounted above her, signifying her knowledge of the existence of the camera.”
It added “some clients claim they need to pass by various windows just to process gate passes, and revealed that they voluntarily give any amount to the ATI clerk as this has been a common practice.”
The September 5 video, as well as the live footage shown to media on September 7, did show the person in question receiving cash, as pointed out by Faeldon during the press conference.
Not an ATI employee
ATI in a statement issued on September 7, however, clarified that “Window 1 of Room 104 at the Port of Manila Building is not an ATI office and that the individual allegedly captured in the CCTV footage is not an ATI employee.”
It added that “fees and charges collected at the aforementioned office, if any, do not go under the remit of ATI.”
It said, “ATI has zero tolerance on corruption and stringently implemented institutionalized policies and procedures that safeguard transparency and promote professionalism in delivering port services to our customers and stakeholders.”
BOC then revised its press statement later on September 7, clarifying that the employee was in fact employed by the PPA.
BOC said the confusion arose because Room 104 “is being leased to ATI.” ATI, in a text message to PortCalls, however, denied leasing the said room.
A PPA official confirmed to PortCalls that the employees in Room 104 are indeed PPA employees but that cash payment is allowed in that window for settlement of excess or post-audit cargo-handling charges.
A customs broker also told PortCalls they pay cash for wharfage through that window.
Faeldon, during the press conference, said they have not yet investigated what the video showed and will turn it over “to the proper government agency for the proper investigation.”
He also said he has not spoken with the person in the video.
Asked if by showing the video first to media before any investigation is conducted may be construed as trial by publicity, Faeldon replied: “I’ve been warning them. There is an evidence.”
“Clearly nakita niyo naman yung ginawang action kaya kayo na ang gumawa ng sarili niyong kwento (you’ve seen the action that was done, so it’s up to you to generate your own story). I do not want this story to come from us,” Faeldon told media.
BOC recently installed CCTV cameras and began livestreaming its operations at the Port of Manila and Office of the Commissioner buildings. – Text and photo by Roumina Pablo
