In a statement, Belle Maestro — acting head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Public Information Assistance Division — denied reports that a Customs examiner violated procedure when he inspected diplomatic pouches intended for the Japanese Embassy ahead of the five-day (Jan 26 to Jan 30) Philippine visit of Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.
“The pouches reportedly contained, among others, the sake (Japanese wine) to be used for the welcome reception in honor of Japan’s imperial couple, as well as a photo album collection of President Benigno Aquino III and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” reports ABS-CBNnews.com.
READ: Customs examiner commits ‘serious breach’ in opening Japanese Embassy’s diplomatic pouches
Maestro explained, “There wasn’t any violation as the subject in question wasn’t a diplomatic pouch, it was a diplomatic shipment which can be inspected through usual protocol of coordination as normally practiced in the South Harbor.”
Maestro pointed out that the Customs personnel posted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) “sought clearance from the Japanese embassy but nevertheless issued an apology.”
The Manila Bulletin earlier reported that a certain Customs examiner had insisted on opening the diplomatic pouches even when a Japanese Embassy representative who was present during the incident tried to dissuade him from opening the pouches, as they were already covered by a certificate from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other relevant documentation necessitated for the release.
The report further stated that under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a diplomatic bag or pouch “shall not be opened or detained.”
