Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 31) — Newly-appointed Special Envoy for Public Diplomacy to China Ramon Tulfo supports the military takeover of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), saying that government should take the fight against illegal drugs one step further.

"I would have the most corrupt people in the Bureau of Customs executed. Like what the government is doing to drug traffickers and minor drug players like pushers. If the government can mercilessly execute drug traffickers and drug pushers, why can't it execute the most corrupt personnel in the Bureau?" Tulfo told CNN Philippines' The Source Wednesday.

Duterte's war on drugs has left more than 4,000 killed in various police operations, while human rights groups peg the number beyond 12,000. He had previously said that his "only sin against the country is the extrajudicial killings," which critics believe is an admission that the deaths are perpetrated by the state.

Tulfo's comment comes after ₱11 billion worth of shabu found in a warehouse in Cavite last August (shabu) slipped past the agency.

TIMELINE: ₱11B-worth of shabu slips past PH customs days after ₱4.3B worth of shabu was intercepted

Duterte had ordered the military to take over the bureau. Tulfo said he agreed with the President, saying it needs the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to oversee the process.

"Mahirap kasi may pera," he said. "Ang sabi nila, kahit na raw si Jesus Christ magiging corrupt 'pag napunta sa Customs."

[Translation: It's difficult since there's money involved. They say even Jesus Christ will be corrupt once he is placed in Customs.]

Tulfo said he wants the likes of former Customs Commissioners Ramon Farolan and Alberto Lina to take over the bureau.

Duterte transferred former BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and assigned Maritime Industry Authority chief Rey Guerrero to take over the bureau. Guerrero was formerly chief of staff of the AFP.

Tulfo said there was negligence on Lapeña's end, but cleared him of involvement in the entry of the shabu shipment.

"Malinis siya; tumaas 'yung collection ng Customs [He's clean; the collection of the Customs increased]," he said.

As newly-appointed envoy, Tulfo said one of his tasks is to take up the anti-drug campaign with law enforcement officials in Beijing.

"I can try talking to government, law enforcement officials in China to apprehend the Chinese syndicates because China hates drugs, abhors drugs, so I can ask China to arrest or apprehend drug traffickers," he said.