CUSTOMS Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said on Tuesday, July 9, following the Chief Executive's announcement that he would be firing "more" Customs officials.

"I think so," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told Palace reporters, when asked if Guerrero still enjoys Duterte's trust and confidence.

"He (Duterte) has not mentioned anything about him. Wala naman siyang binabanggit sa kanya (He has not mentioned anything about Guerrero)," he added.

In October 2018, Duterte named Guerrero as the replacement of former Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña, after P11 billion worth of smuggled shabu slipped past the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in August of the same year.

Also in October last year, the President sought the "military takeover" of BOC to rid the bureau of corruption.

On July 5, Duterte said he would be firing "more" Customs officials and renewed his plan to let the military control the BOC.

Asked who are the officials from the Customs bureau who will face dismissal from service, Panelo said: "Wala siyang binanggit (He has not mentioned anything)." (SunStar Philippines)