The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Clark strongly condemns the unlawful actions of a public official who flagrantly violated customs laws upon arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, on September 10, 2024, at Clark International Airport.
Despite their position as a public servant, this individual chose to disregard the very laws they are duty-bound to uphold, demonstrating a serious breach of public trust and a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
During a routine inspection, BOC officers uncovered undeclared regulated agricultural products, including lanzones, which are subject to quarantine regulations imposed by the Bureau of Plant Industry to prevent the introduction of harmful pests into the country. Furthermore, the public official was found carrying four (4) bundles of Philippine peso bills, amounting to Php 400,000, all undeclared. This failure to declare currencies is a direct violation of cross-border currency declaration requirements. The individual, identified as Mr. Mark Cholo Violago, also falsely declared himself as unemployed in his electronic Customs Baggage Declaration Form (eCBDF).
As a public official, this individual bears a greater responsibility to exemplify integrity and compliance with the law. Instead, their actions not only contravened the customs laws, rules and regulations but also undermined the integrity of the office they represent. This flagrant violation erodes public confidence and demonstrates a troubling disregard for the system they are entrusted to uphold.
The individual in question further exacerbated the situation by displaying inappropriate and abusive behavior during the inspection. Mr. Violago verbally assaulted and intimidated the Customs personnel, recording the examination process without consent and directing gender-based threats toward the female Customs Examiner, stating, “Kung hindi ka lang babae” (“If you weren’t a woman”). Additionally, he issued threats such as, “Habang buhay mong pagsisihan yang kagagohang ginawa mo sa akin. Makikilala mo rin ako.” (“You will regret the foolishness you did to me for the rest of your life. One day, you will truly know who I am”).
Despite these provocations, the BOC officers remained calm and professional throughout the encounter. The entire interaction was recorded through the use of Body-Worn Cameras (BWC), which serves as concrete evidence disproving the baseless allegations of misconduct that Mr. Violago later propagated on social media in an attempt to deflect blame.
It is important to note that such attempts to vilify law enforcement officers and spread false accusations are not only irresponsible but also will not absolve anyone from legal accountability. The Bureau of Customs asserts that it will uphold the law with the highest degree of professionalism and without fear or favor.
This case also highlights the ongoing commitment of the BOC to the directive issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on January 2, 2024, to strengthen the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML-CFT) regime. This directive aims to remove the Philippines from the global money laundering “grey list” and has led to the enhancement of cross-border currency declaration measures across all ports of entry. Since the implementation of this directive, the Port of Clark, under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, has successfully intercepted undeclared currencies from 11 individuals, totaling Php 1,071,900.
This incident serves as a reminder of the BOC’s unwavering commitment to enforcing customs regulations and protecting the nation’s financial security.
The public official’s reckless actions also brought to light the risks faced by Customs officers who perform their duties in the face of intimidation and abuse. The Customs Examiner involved in this case has reported experiencing trauma, especially given the threats made against her. She is also scheduled to testify in an unrelated case involving the apprehension of illegal drugs in Bulacan, raising additional concerns for her personal safety. Her life has been profoundly affected, impacting her ability to travel and carry out her work effectively. She has expressed a desire to remain in her home province of Mindanao, seeking respite from the ongoing stress.
The BOC reminds the public that no one is above the law, regardless of rank or position. Violating customs regulations, especially failing to declare regulated goods and currencies, is a serious offense punishable by fines, confiscation of items, and potential criminal charges. The Bureau will continue to enforce these laws rigorously and impartially, ensuring that all violators are held accountable for their actions.
The Bureau of Customs – Port of Clark, in strict compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., remains steadfast in its mission to protect the country’s borders, enforce customs laws, and ensure that everyone, regardless of status or position, is held accountable for their actions.
