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President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. directed the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture to intensify implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act
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The order was issued following inspection of P178.5 million worth of smuggled mackerel in Manila on Dec 14
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. directed the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to intensify implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act (Republic Act No. 12022).
Marcos issued the order following inspection of P178.5 million worth of smuggled mackerel in Manila on Dec 14.
He emphasized the need for stronger action against smugglers disrupting the supply chain, and significantly impacting prices of agricultural products in the local market.
The President noted the seizure of the smuggled mackerel marks the first case filed under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act .
The Act repeals Republic Act No. 10845, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and replaces it with more comprehensive mechanisms to ensure stricter enforcement and improved implementation.
“So, I’ve spoken to our Bureau of Customs, and I’ve spoken to the Department of Agriculture and we have to keep going. Kailangang patibayin pa natin ito (We need to further strengthen our efforts),” he added.
The President led the inspection of the smuggled mackerel at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). The shipment was intercepted by the BOC in collaboration with the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in October.
Marcos noted coordination between the different agencies was key to thwarting the illegal activity.
“‘Yun lagi ang pinakamahalaga (That’s the most important part) because the different agencies were all working together, all the way up to the end…. (the) end-consumer (being) DSWD,” Marcos said.
He said the seized mackerel will be distributed to families in evacuation centers affected by recent adversities. This will be done through the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other groups such as the Bureau of Corrections.
The BFAR declared the mackerel fit for human consumption.
The frozen mackerel contained in 58,800 cartons arrived at the MICP from China on Sept 28 and 29.
The shipment violated DA Memorandum Order No. 14, s. 2024, which suspends the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances for the importation of round scads, mackerel, and bonito.
The BOC seized P5.87 billion worth of smuggled agricultural products from July 2022 to November 2024 as part of efforts to address agricultural sabotage.
The agency filed 250 cases involving agricultural products worth P8.59 billion from 2018 to 2024.
The BOC recorded four convictions involving illicit importation of agricultural products.
