THE government seized P11.6 billion worth of smuggled agricultural products in 67 operations from February 2025 to July 2026, with 218 people facing administrative or criminal complaints, Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said.
In a statement on Thursday, the Office of the Executive Secretary said this aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s order to intensify enforcement against agricultural smuggling, which the government considers economic sabotage.
“The President wants escalation on two fronts. The first is to boost production, more so that every year we are adding 1.5 million to our population, and that is the demographic reality. And the second is to curb smuggling because it disincentives local production,” Mr. Recto said.
He warned that the anticipated El Niño dry spell could create opportunities for smugglers to flood the domestic market with illicit products amid concerns over water shortages.
“Crisis creates opportunities, and when water shortage looms, the smugglers see this as a cue to flood the market with their illicit products,” he said.
Mr. Recto said smugglers evade both duties and food safety inspections, exposing consumers to potentially unsafe products. He added that imports should be based on careful supply assessments, brought in only when needed and timed to avoid the local harvest season.
The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, or Republic Act No. 12022, signed in September 2024, imposes higher fines and longer prison terms for violators. A special team of prosecutors has been formed to pursue cases and recently secured the conviction of seven tobacco smugglers, he noted.
The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council has also received authorization for 49 additional staff positions to strengthen enforcement and coordination.
The administration aims to shift from sporadic raids to a sustained, intelligence-driven campaign, Mr. Recto said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking