CUSTOMS Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno announced that the Bureau of Customs – Port of Clark intercepted a shipment containing approximately 4,410 grams of suspected ketamine, with an estimated value of P20.7 million, concealed in a parcel declared as “Ceramic Fan.”
The shipment originated from Amsterdam, Netherlands, and was bound for Valenzuela City.
Initial screening using a spectrometer indicated the presence of “Special K/Ketamine,” a dangerous drug regulated under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Nepomuceno said examination and verification remain ongoing, with authorities expected to release further details as they become available.
Meanwhile, the BOC and the Apostleship of the Sea–Stella Maris Philippines will formalize a cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on employee welfare, spiritual wellness, and transformational change.
BOC deputy spokesman Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo said the effort will support the IAM BOC Movement through voluntary and non-exclusive opportunities for BOC personnel to participate in recollections, spiritual services, and values-based activities across its thirty-nine (39) Seaports and Subports, while extending opportunities for spiritual care to members of the national and international maritime community.
Bendijo said that under the Memorandum of Understanding, the BOC will facilitate the necessary venues, facilities and coordination for the programs, while ensuring the safety of participants and compliance with existing government policies, including the constitutional principle of the separation of Church and State.
For Commissioner Nepomuceno, investing in the welfare of employees is an essential part of building a more effective and people-centered Bureau, with good governance at the forefront, he added.
“Ang pagbabago sa Bureau ay nagsisimula sa ating mga tao. We want our employees to know that their welfare matters not only in terms of their professional growth, but also their overall well-being. Sa pamamagitan ng ugnayan na ito, umaasa tayo na mabibigyan natin ang ating mga tauhan ng pagkakataong makapagpahinga, magnilay, at mapalakas ang kanilang loob upang patuloy na makapaglingkod nang may integridad, malasakit, at dedikasyon,” Nepomuceno said.
The initiative reflects the shared commitment of the BOC and Stella Maris Philippines to put people at the heart of transformation—strengthening not only the institution, but also the individuals who carry out its mission every day. A stronger BOC a stronger BOC is built by a stronger workforce—and a stronger workforce is one that is supported, empowered, and inspired to make a difference.
