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State Secretary for Justice Menardo Guevarra said that the current head of customs offices, former military chief Rey Guerrero, was "now a civilian".
CIVIL RULE? Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the retired general, at the head of the customs, was now a "civilian". Angie de Silva / Rappler's photo file
MANILA, Philippines – The decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to take control of the Customs Office (BOC) does not violate the rule of civil supremacy, as its leader is a civilian, said the Secretary of Justice, Menardo Guevarra.
"Certainly not, because the head of the BOC is a civilian. the BOC reports to the Ministry of Finance (DOF); and the DOF is under the president, "said Guevarra on Monday, October 29.
Guevarra assured the public that the civilian regime remained paramount, with the newly appointed chief of customs being "now a civilian", referring to retired general Rey Guerrero, former chief of staff of the armed forces.
This comes after the groups mentioned Section 3 Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that "the civil authority is, at all times, supreme over the army.
Guerrero replaced the former chief of customs, Isidro Lapeña, who was transferred to the Authority for Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA). This is the latest in a series of appointments of former servicemen by Duterte to government positions.
It is also the third redesign of Duterte in less than a year in this agency. (READ: A new chief of customs, head of the FDFA, spokesman for one year for Duterte)
The temporary military takeover, ad by Duterte on Sunday, September 29, was supposed to "ensure that the massive entry of illegal drugs, which threatens public safety, is immediately stopped," he said.
The Duterte administration is grappling with a dilemma over how to deal with the scandal of 11 billion ebony shipments, which has been the subject of congressional hearings.
On October 25, Lapeña acknowledged that empty magnetic levers found at Cavite contained illegal drugs – after previously denying and challenging the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's (PDEA) complaint. (LILY: At the customs office: how was Isidro Lapeña dominated)
But Duterte defended Lapeña and former commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, saying the two had only been duped by insiders. (LILY: Duterte defends Lapeña: Nalusutan lang talaga) – Rappler.com
