President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. views the recent surge in agricultural commodity smuggling as a national security threat and has directed law enforcement and intelligence agencies to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) in addressing the illicit trade that undermines farmers’ livelihoods, disrupts markets, and endangers public health and food security.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel said Tuesday that he has already met separately with newly appointed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre, and representatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to devise strategies for targeting smuggling syndicates.
“The President has directed the DA to throw the book at the consignees and all those involved in smuggling these agricultural products. By the end of the year, we hope to see many of those responsible handcuffed, facing charges,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.
The DA chief further emphasized that customs brokers would also face legal consequences as part of efforts to enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, the Food Safety Act, and the Customs Code.
Secretary Tiu Laurel noted that President Marcos is especially concerned about the damage these market-disruptive practices cause to local farmers, fisherfolk, and legitimate businesses.
“This not only harms the economy but fosters corruption at multiple levels,” he added.
The government is treating the surge in smuggling as a critical national security issue, particularly as uninspected agricultural products pose significant biosecurity risks to the country’s plant and livestock industries. Imported goods, primarily from Port of Xiamen, are now under heightened scrutiny as most of the smuggled goods are shipped out of the Chinese port, he added.
