The Bureau of Customs (BoC) will be utilizing Artificial Intelligence or AI in checking contrabands in shipments into the country even as its top executive cited the Port of Clark for its performance against illegal drugs.
BoC spokesperson and deputy chief of staff Atty. Chris Bendijo, in a recent visit at BoC Port of Clark, said that AI can be used in order to augment manpower needs in view of growing cargoes in major ports brought about by global online shopping.
Together with BoC Deputy Commissioner Nolasco Bathan in the visit, Bendijo cited BoC Clark for already surpassing its 2025 performance in checking and seizure of illegal drugs.
He said that BoC Clark has already seized illegal drugs worth ₱246 million in the first three months of 2026. In previous year, BoC Clark recorded confiscation worth ₱188 million. The first quarter record already represent a 30 percent increase of the 2025 total.
Bendijo added that the use of AI is part of the modernization program being pushed by BoC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
“Through the use of AI, we will be able to identify which shipments are high risks. AI can also check paperwork like bill of lading. It can be instrumental in the various levels of security,” he said.
Bendijo joined Nolasco as they turned over to PDEA Regional Director Jigger Montellana 6,156 grams of Ketamine worth P30.78 that was seized by BoC Port of Clark headed by Collector Jairus Reyes.