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Newly appointed Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has suspended the implementation of all previously approved but unserved Letters of Authority and Mission Orders
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The policy contained in a July 2 memo applies to all LOAs and MOs issued prior to July 2 that have yet to be served
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It covers all units under BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement Groups
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BOC said the suspension is part of a broader effort to restore discipline in field operations, prevent unauthorized or outdated enforcement activities, and reinforce the agency’s commitment to lawful and transparent practices
Newly appointed Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno suspended the implementation of all previously approved but unserved Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs). The policy — contained in a July 2 memo — is designed to review all pending enforcement actions and ensure operations are properly tracked and aligned with current priorities, the BOC said in a statement.
The memo is Nepomuceno’s first following his appointment as BOC chief; it applies to all LOAs and MOs issued prior to July 2 that have yet to be served and covers all units under BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement Groups.
The memo instructs concerned deputy commissioners to submit a comprehensive status report on all LOAs and MOs issued from January 1 to June 30, 2025, within 24 hours of receipt of the order.
A LOA is a written authorization signed by the Customs commissioner in the exercise of the power to visit and inspect premises and goods, identifying the customs officers authorized to demand evidence of payment of duties and taxes on imported goods openly offered for sale or kept in storage.
An MO, meanwhile, refers to the written directive or order issued by the Customs commissioner or other officers of BOC authorized in writing by the Customs commissioner to carry out specific instructions given to any customs officer, or any deputized officer who must be a government employee holding regular plantilla position.
“We are implementing this step to clearly determine what actions are still pending and to ensure that all enforcement efforts are legally sound, properly documented, and aligned with the Bureau’s direction moving forward,” Nepomuceno said.
BOC said the suspension is also part of a broader effort to restore discipline in field operations, prevent unauthorized or outdated enforcement activities, and reinforce the agency’s commitment to lawful and transparent practices.
Nepomuceno previously held the position of deputy commissioner for Enforcement Group from 2013 to 2017, and as assistant commissioner from 2017 to 2018. He took oath as the new commissioner of BOC on June 30 and officially took office on July 1.
