Ex-PNP spokesman endorsed for key BOC post — report

A retired Philippine National Police (PNP) general is being considered to man a key post in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to curb sugar smuggling. Sugar Regulatory Administration head Gina Martin said she wants former PNP spokesman Joel Goltiao as assistant to the Customs commissioner for "sugar matters." Martin said she has already discussed the move with Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez, according to a report on news site Visayan Daily Star. She said this will give Goltiao, head of the Sugar Anti-Smuggling Organization, the authority to seize smuggled sugar and make arrests. In the meantime, Martin said the SRA is verifying reports of the entry of smuggled sugar in Cebu, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. Former SRA head Bernard Trebol, a trustee of the Sugar Master Plan Foundation, said they received reports of the entry of 25 containers of smuggled sugar in Cebu, and of the entry of smuggled sugar in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. Martin said actions will be taken once the information is confirmed. The SRA is also closely monitoring the entry of the government authorized 100,000 metric tons of imported sugar to ensure that not more than what is allowed comes in. - KBK, GMANews.TV