Manila, Aug. 20 -- Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno described Lieutenant Lars Jalani II, the relieved chief of their Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) in Zamboanga in connection with the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, as a "competent officer."

In a televised interview, he noted that the BOC official was behind several successful anti-smuggling operations of the bureau.

"I am not defending him, but he was appointed as head of our (Customs) police there (Zamboanga because) he is a good officer. He works well," Nepomuceo said.

"We fight smugglers, especially in that area which is a hot spot for smuggling cigarettes, oil, agricultural products, particularly rice. He puts himself in harm's...