By NONOY E. LACSON
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña favors the proposal of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to legalize the operations of rice smugglers in the Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi area by establishing a rice trading center in Jolo, Sulu or in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi and for smugglers to directly bring their rice and sugar commodities to the area for payment of Customs duties.
Lapeña said the proposal is good as it will generate a substantial collection for the BoC but a 
directive or a memorandum order must be issued by President Duterte for the guidance of the authorities directly involved in the anti-smuggling operations in this part of the country.
