Filipino Bureau Of Customs Examiner Opened Diplomatic Pouches, Oops

[Old55]

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/123216/unauthorized--naia-customs-examiner-opens-diplomatic-pouches-for-japan-emperors-visit-media

 

 

NAIA Customs examiner cites honest mistake in examining Japanese diplomatic pouches

 

MANILA - The Bureau of Customs examiner assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport who inadvertently opened diplomatic pouches of the Japan Embassy for examination offered for "an apology for an honest mistake."

The diplomatic cargo is exempted from such procedures.

NAIA Customs District Collector Edgar Macabeo said he immediately reprimanded the customs examiner and his supervisor after an investigation was conducted for "unauthorized examination of the diplomatic pouches" consigned to the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

Macabeo said that all "diplomatic pouches that arrive at the airport have immunity and cannot be examined by anyone without authorization from the commissioner and the district collector.

Macabeo said the diplomatic pouches addressed to the Japanese Embassy in Manila arrived last November 30, and was released on December 2, 2015. The following day, December 3, Macabeo reprimanded Pompeo Manalo who examined the pouches without due authorization.

The diplomatic pouches, reportedly contained, among others, the "sake" (Japanese wine) for the welcome reception in the evening of January 28 in honor of their Majesties the Emperor and Empress who are scheduled to arrive Tuesday for a five-day state visit to the country.

Aside from the bottles of sake, the diplomatic pouches also reportedly contained several official items of the Japanese Embassy and a photo album collection of President Benigno Aquino III and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Macabeo told his examiners that, in accordance with Article 27.3 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), properly designated diplomatic pouches "shall not be opened or detained."

Under the same Convention, any search or inspection of a properly labeled diplomatic pouch constitutes a "serious breach." In fact, international law does not even set any limits on the permissible size, weight and quantity of diplomatic pouches.

During the unauthorized opening of the diplomatic pouches, a staff member of the Japanese embassy reportedly tried to dissuade Manalo from doing so, showing him a certificate from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other relevant documentation needed for the release of the pouches.

 

 

You would think they would know how to do their job. At least he didn't "find" any bullets.

[Dave Hounddriver]

I would think it adds insult to injury to list in the news all the items that the diplomatic pouch contained.

[sonjack2847]

You would think they would know how to do their job. At least he didn't "find" any bullets.

Sometimes it is best not to think here or you may go crazy.how many other instances do we come across where people here just cannot do there job.

[mogo51]

Not very diplomatic.