Duterte appoints Lapeña as new Customs Chief

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Isidro Lapeña was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday as the new Bureau of Customs (BOC) Chief. (Photo: PDEA)

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Isidro Lapeña was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday as the new Bureau of Customs (BOC) Chief.

In a press conference on Monday night in Malacañang, President Duterte announced that Lapeña is going to be the next commissioner of Customs.

The President told the reporters that Faeldon’s resignation was considered “automatic” by putting Lapeña in the post.

“If I appoint Lapeña, automatic na ‘yan [it is automatic]. No need [to give a resignation letter]. If somebody is appointed in the position, meaning to say, automatic na ‘yun, umalis ka [it’s automatic, you leave]. But Faeldon, in fairness to him, tried to resign thrice,” Duterte said.

To recall, Duterte revealed that Faeldon has offered to resign at least three times amid to the controversy over the P6.4-billion worth of shabu shipment from China that slipped through BOC and prompted a Senate probe.

Faeldon, on the other hand, welcomes the President’s decision to appoint a new Customs Chief, saying that it ‘is for the best’.

A few minutes after the president announced that Lapeña will be the next commissioner of the BOC, Faeldon posted a statement on his official Facebook page.

“My continuous stay in Bureau of Customs is politically polarizing the country, so the decision of the President is for the best. I will continue to serve our country and the welfare of the Filipino people,” Faeldon said.

“I have served you to the best of my ability and I have not done any act of corruption in my entire government service. Maraming salamat po sa inyong tulong sa ating bansa [thank you for helping our country],” he added.

Meanwhile, President Duterte said that Philippine National Police Region III director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino would replace Lapeña as PDEA Chief.