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The Bureau of Customs, Department of Justice, and the National Bureau of Investigation signed a tripartite agreement to strengthen investigations and prosecutions of agricultural smuggling and other forms of agricultural economic sabotage
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The agencies will coordinate on intelligence sharing, investigations, case build-up, evidence evaluation, referrals, preliminary investigations and prosecution
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A technical working group will develop coordination, referral and information-sharing protocols
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BOC has endorsed 15 complaints involving 20 respondents to the DOJ for violations of Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act
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Since 2025, BOC has filed 30 agriculture-related cases involving 127 respondents under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Justice (DOJ), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have signed a tripartite agreement to strengthen investigations and prosecution of agricultural smuggling and other forms of agricultural economic sabotage.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, Justice secretary Atty. Fredderick Vida, and NBI director Atty. Melvin Matibag signed the memorandum of agreement, which establishes a framework for closer coordination in enforcing Republic Act (RA) No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla attended the signing and delivered a message of support for the partnership.
Under the agreement, the three agencies will coordinate on information and intelligence sharing, criminal investigation support, case build-up, evidence evaluation, referral, preliminary investigation, prosecution, and enforcement, in line with their respective mandates and existing laws and regulations.
A technical working group will be created to develop coordination guidelines, referral mechanisms, information-sharing protocols, and other measures for implementing the agreement.
READ: BOC files charges vs importer, staff over misdeclared agri goods
Nepomuceno said the partnership will bring together the enforcement, investigative and legal capabilities of the three agencies in pursuing agricultural economic sabotage.
“The fight against agricultural economic sabotage cannot be carried out by one agency alone. We need the teamwork of the DOJ, BOC, and NBI. While the BOC continues to intercept illegal shipments and build cases, we are working with the NBI for more in-depth investigations and with the DOJ to ensure that lawbreakers are held accountable. Those who undermine our agricultural sector and threaten food security will be pursued and held accountable,” Nepomuceno said in English and Filipino.
The BOC said it has endorsed 15 complaints involving 20 respondents to the DOJ for appropriate action over alleged violations of RA 12022.
Since 2025, the bureau has also filed 30 agriculture-related cases involving 127 respondents under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The government has identified agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartelization as activities that undermine legitimate businesses, disadvantage farmers and fisherfolk, and disrupt the food supply chain.
