Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has ordered a comprehensive accounting and inventory of all issued firearms across the Bureau as he vowed to further strengthen accountability measures over the agency’s security personnel following the tragic shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga, allegedly involving a Customs Police personnel’s firearm.
Likewise, Nepomuceno ordered a review of compliance with all BOC policies and issuances on gun safety, firearm custody, transport, carrying, storage, and safekeeping. Compliance reports from all concerned units have been required within 24 hours.
The Bureau of Customs remains committed to accountability, transparency, and ensuring that all necessary measures are undertaken to prevent incidents of this nature from happening again.
Upon learning of the incident, the Commissioner immediately ordered the relief and preventive suspension of the Customs Police personnel who owns the firearms allegedly used by the student involved, pending the results of a thorough investigation.
The Commissioner has likewise directed the Deputy Commissioners concerned, in coordination with the appropriate field offices, to immediately conduct a full investigation and gather all relevant documents, records, statements, and other evidence related to the matter. The Bureau has also instructed all concerned personnel to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation by the proper authorities.
“We stand in solidarity with the Ateneo de Zamboanga community and all those affected by this heartbreaking incident,” said Nepomuceno in a statement.
