Two Customs officials slapped with sexual harassment complaints

An official of the Bureau of Customs were now facing charges following the complaint filed by a massage therapist before the office of the Ombudsman.

In her sworn affidavit dated November 17, 2011, obtained by The Manila Times, Liberty Felipe of Tarlac sued Maj. Ramon Policarpio and Asi Dexter Binuya et. al. of the Enforcement Security Group of the bureau for grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, grave coercion, unjust vexation and sexual harassment.

Felipe, who works as massage therapist since 2006, in her statement said that the alleged harassment incident happened in July 2011 when Policarpio asked for her service.

She added that she was shocked when Policarpio said some foul words to her.

“Habang tine-therapy ko siya nagulat na lang ako ng sabihin sa akin nitong nahahabla ang salitang ‘Kung gusto mo i-therapy mo ang ari ko,’” Felipe said in her statement.

Felipe added that even she was shocked she refused the request of Policarpio and left.

She said that after the incident, she and her husband—who also works as a massage therapist, weren’t allowed by the bureau employees particularly Binuya to enter the agency’s premises.

“Hindi ko alam na ang hindi ko pagsunod sa kagustuhan i-therapy ko ang kanyang ari ang siyang naging dahilan upang pag-initan ako nitong si Maj. Policarpio at ito ay naganap noong buwan ng Agosto 2011 na kung saan ay hindi kami pinahintulutang mag-asawa na pumasok sa loob ng Bureau of Customs, Port of Manila,” the statement added.

Moreover, she added that until press time the complainant cannot enter the said government agency to serve other customers.

“Ang naturang aktuwasyon ng mga nahahabla ay positbong pagmamalabis sa kanilang katunhkukan na nararapat lamang na maparusahan upang mapangalagaan naman ang interes naming mahihirap na umaasa lamang sa sa katiting na kinikita ngunit itinigil at pinigil pa nila,” Felipe’s statement ended.

Meanwhile, The Manila Times is still looking for the respondents to air their sides. –Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz, Manila Times