By Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its efforts against agricultural smuggling, a persistent issue that threatens the country’s food security, cripples local farmers and disrupts economic stability.
One of law enforcement’s immediate actions is to crack down on illicit trade that floods the market with smuggled rice, onions, sugar, and other essential goods, which causes billions of pesos in lost revenues and ruins the livelihood of thousands of farmers.
While the influx of illegally imported agricultural products seldom makes the headlines compared to the smuggling of goods like cigarettes and electronics, their effect on the economy is greater. It undercuts local producers, depresses farmgate prices, and distorts market competition—ultimately leaving Filipino farmers struggling to make a living.
In 2023 alone, agricultural smuggling caused an estimated PHP3 billion.
Strengthened Anti-Smuggling Laws and Policies
In response to the growing crisis, the PNP has thrown its full support behind stricter anti-smuggling legislation. The recently enacted Republic Act (RA) 12022 or Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act imposes harsher penalties on smugglers, hoarders, and price manipulators, treating these acts as economic sabotage punishable by life imprisonment and fines three times the value of the smuggled goods.
The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, a priority initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration, designates smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartels, and financing such activities as economic sabotage, with penalties of life imprisonment and fines three times the value of the confiscated agricultural products.
In his message, President Marcos minced no words to confront and dismantle the powerful forces that have long exploited the system, warning smugglers and profiteers that justice will “swiftly and decisively” find them. “No more backdoors, no more shortcuts, and certainly, no more turning a blind eye in the Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.
The law also includes provisions for a Daily Price Index, which helps monitor fluctuations in agricultural product prices, ensuring transparency in the market. Those involved in the transportation or storage of illegal goods face imprisonment of 20 to 30 years and fines twice the product’s value.
It further establishes the Anti-Agricultural Economic Council and the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group to streamline enforcement efforts.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, in a statement, reiterated the agency’s commitment to collaborate with other government agencies to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for economic sabotage like smuggling, hoarding, and profiteering of agricultural products, particularly rice. He stressed the importance of the law in ensuring that food remains affordable while also safeguarding farmers from exploitation.
“The PNP is fully prepared to support the implementation of this law to protect our agricultural sector and ensure that every Filipino has access to fairly priced, locally produced food,” he said. The recent signing of this landmark law by President Marcos is a decisive move to safeguard food security and protect Filipino consumers from skyrocketing rice prices caused by illegal activities, he added.
Intensified Border and Port Inspections
To stem the tide of illegal agricultural imports, authorities have increased surveillance at major ports and border areas. The PNP and Bureau of Customs (BOC) have expanded intelligence-sharing mechanisms, identifying high-risk areas where smuggling syndicates operate.
Marbil noted that these intensified border operations are crucial in dismantling networks that have long profited from illicit trade. Their goal is to intercept illegal shipments, dismantle smuggling syndicates, and protect the local agriculture industry from unfair competition.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio welcomed this collaboration, affirming the agency’s commitment to ensuring the provisions of Act are fully implemented, describing it as a “clear deterrent to economic saboteurs.” RA 12022 empowers the BOC in conducting and implementing the Letter of Authority to take action against corporations or entities involved in acts of economic sabotage. It also equips the BOC with clear parameters to identify and penalize these unlawful practices.
According to the PNP Chief, the fight against agricultural smuggling is not just about enforcing trade regulations—it is about ensuring food security and protecting farmers.
Farmers struggle amid unchecked smuggling
Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel assured the people that the agency with the BOC and other government agencies like the PNP will run after smugglers and unscrupulous traders to stop their illegal acts, referring to the new law for its teeth to run after agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartel, and financing—crimes classified as economic sabotage.
For many local farmers, the consequences of agricultural smuggling are devastating. When smuggled goods flood the market, farmgate prices plummet, leaving local producers unable to recover their costs. In the case of onions, for example, farmers have been forced to sell their produce at unprofitable prices due to the influx of cheaper, illegally imported alternatives.
Smuggled rice also poses a significant problem, affecting both consumers and the country’s food security. Despite efforts to keep rice prices stable, the influx of illegally imported grains disrupts supply chains and weakens government-led programs to support local farmers.
Beyond government action, private sector collaboration is also crucial in the fight against agricultural smuggling. The PNP has been working with various stakeholders, including farm cooperatives, logistics companies, and consumer watchdog groups, to report suspicious activities and prevent illicit goods from reaching markets.
By strengthening enforcement efforts and implementing stricter policies, authorities hope to curb the damaging effects of smuggling on both farmers and consumers. The success of these initiatives will depend on continued vigilance, policy enforcement, and cooperation across sectors.
As the fight against agricultural smuggling intensifies, the PNP remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the country’s food security and ensuring a fair and competitive market for local farmers. (PNA)
