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The arrest of a big-time onion smuggler is a significant step in the government’s fight against agricultural smuggling, Bureau of Customs Chief Bienvenido Rubio said
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Senator Cynthia Villar recently announced the arrest of Jayson de Roxas Taculog for smuggling 30 containers of onions
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BOC deputy commissioner Juvymax Uy emphasized the importance of teamwork among government agencies and swift action by Customs in the arrest of Taculog
The arrest of a big-time onion smuggler is a significant step in the government’s fight against agricultural smuggling, Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement.
“This shows the commitment of the Marcos administration to go after these big-time agricultural smugglers. Bringing in these goods to the country illegally is a significant threat to our economy, to the livelihoods of small farmers, and to the competitiveness of legitimate businesses,” Rubio said in a statement, hopeful the operation sends a clear message to other smugglers.
On November 15, Senator Cynthia Villar revealed the arrest of Jayson de Roxas Taculog, who was caught smuggling 30 containers of onions.
Bureau of Customs deputy commissioner Juvymax Uy highlighted teamwork among government agencies and the quick action of Customs in Taculog’s arrest.
“This showcased our team’s unwavering commitment to bringing these perpetrators to justice and upholding the integrity of legitimate trade and importation. In many cases, smuggling agricultural, poultry, and food products pose a threat to the health and safety of consumers,” Uy noted.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr has certified Senate Bill No. 2432—the proposed Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act—as urgent. The bill, intended to replace the 2016 Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, targets smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartels of farm products.
RELATED READ: Anti-agri economic sabotage bill certified as urgent
If passed, the bill could mean life in prison and a hefty fine for those involved in those crimes.
