Nepomuceno suspends unserved raids to reinforce order and legality at customs

In his first decisive move as the new head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has suspended all unserved Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) issued prior to July 2, 2025. The directive aims to restore order, uphold legality, and realign field operations with lawful and transparent standards.

The memorandum, issued on July 2, covers all LOAs and MOs across BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement Groups that have not yet been served. This decisive move comes in response to mounting concerns raised by legitimate business groups over questionable raids and enforcement excesses that have disrupted operations and eroded trust. Nepomuceno further directed all concerned Deputy Commissioners to submit within 24 hours a full status report on LOAs and MOs issued from January 1 to June 30, 2025.

“This directive is a necessary reset,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said. “We must ensure that every enforcement action moving forward is legal, current, and in line with the Bureau’s renewed focus on professionalism, transparency, and institutional accountability.”

The suspension aims to prevent unauthorized, outdated, or improperly documented operations—long viewed as a breeding ground for irregularities and abuse in field enforcement. By halting these pending operations, Nepomuceno is asserting control and sending a clear message: the BOC will no longer tolerate loose, unsupervised, or potentially exploitative enforcement activities.

This policy shift comes in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to professionalize the bureaucracy and strengthen anti-smuggling efforts without compromising legal standards. Under Nepomuceno’s leadership, the BOC is expected to pursue aggressive reforms that prioritize lawful enforcement and rebuild public trust in the institution.

“This is not about slowing down enforcement—it’s about doing it right,” Nepomuceno emphasized. “Our fight against smuggling and corruption must be anchored in discipline, not discretion.”

With this sweeping measure, the new BOC chief sets the tone for a more accountable and reform-driven agency—one that enforces the law without fear or favor, and always within the bounds of its mandate.