© Danny Pata An aerial view showing thousands of shipping containers waiting to be shipped or delivered are stacked inside the Manila International Container Port in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday, August 6. Two senators on Wednesday asked the Senate to conduct an inquiry on the worsening congestion of cargo shipments in two major ports in Manila, which is hurting the flow of goods in and out of the country, saying an economic catastrophe is waiting to happen unless the situation is resolved as soon as possible.
Bureau of Customs agents on Saturday arrested a security guard at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and two "hao siaos" for alleged corruption.
Yogi Ruiz, director of the BOC Enforcement and Security Services, identified the security guard as Allan Pangkalinawan, assigned at the Pier Inspection Division.
Ruiz said Pangkalinawan was arrested for allegedly paying two "hao siaos" P2,000 per day in exchange for guarding containers at the said port.
The BOC did not identify the two "hao siaos."
"We have received directives from the commissioner to validate reports of port congestion at MICP, however, while inspecting we saw one PID (Pier Inspection Division) personnel and two hao siaos who are facilitating the containers in the yard," Ruiz said.
He said a video showing the hao siaos assisting the guard in the releasing of cargoes was taken by the agents as proof of their activity.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said he directed the Intelligence and Investigation Service to conduct a thorough investigation on the case.
"We will build a strong case against them. For now, Pangkalinawan will be relieved from office. Hindi pa natin ma-determine kung saan nanggagaling ang pinapasahod niya na P2,000 per day. If found guilty of illegal act, he will be removed from service," Lapeña said.
"Hindi rin natin alam kung ano pa ang ginagawa ng mga hao siao doon at kung sino ang nagpapasahod sa kanila, chances are it came from tara or from extortion," the Customs chief added.
Lapeña earlier said he will give all BOC employees a clean slate but if proven to be guilty, "I will impose one strike policy."
"Let this be an eye-opener to all employees to start correcting their ways," the Customs chief said.
The suspects are in the custody of the BOC. —Ted Cordero/ALG, GMA News