Manila: Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday vowed more aggressive government actions against agricultural smugglers, saying he wants to see some of them arrested by the end of 2025. "Talagang hahabulin natin sila at kailangang may makita tayong nakaposas sana (We will really go after them and we hope to see some of them handcuffed, hopefully) by the end of the year," Tiu Laurel said in an ambush interview during the inspection of seized smuggled products at the Port of Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, more than PHP34 million worth of smuggled frozen mackerel, as well as red and white onions from China, inside six 40-foot containers were recently confiscated at the Manila port. Tiu Laurel stated that 59 more containers are on hold at the Subic port in Zambales over suspicion that they also contain smuggled agricultural products.
Tiu Laurel emphasized the government's commitment to addressing the issue, warning that customs brokers who facilitate the release of these goods will also be pursued legally. "Malaki-laki iyon (That's quite big). I would like to inform everybody lalo na sa mga customs brokers na nagre-release ng mga ito, hahabulin, kasama namin sila sa kaso ngayon (especially for customs brokers who are releasing this, we will go after them, we will include them in the filing of cases)," he warned.
Since January, eighteen agricultural traders have been blacklisted for smuggling fish and onions into the country. Tiu Laurel indicated that the number is expected to rise to 25 once the containers in Subic are investigated. "Disi-otso na iyong na-blacklist sa ngayon. Well, magiging 25 na iyan kapag nabuksan na iyong nasa (We have 18 blacklisted companies now. Well, it will be 25 once we open those in) Subic," Tiu Laurel said.
Under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, liability for violation extends beyond consignees to other individuals across the value chain, including drivers. Smuggling or hoarding of more than PHP10 million worth of agricultural commodities is classified as economic sabotage under the law.
