Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan continues to spearhead efforts to combat agricultural smuggling, a persistent menace that undermines Filipino farmers and threatens the country’s food security.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, met with Secretary Frederick Go, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs and Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council chair, on Tuesday, August 26.
The officials met to discuss government efforts to strengthen the fight against agricultural smuggling and make accountable the organizations and individuals behind the hoarding of agricultural products, such as rice, vegetables, and others.
In recent Senate hearings, Pangilinan disclosed the names of companies and customs brokers suspected of involvement in smuggling operations involving frozen mackerel, onions, and other agricultural products with estimated values exceeding P10 million, qualifying these acts as non-bailable economic sabotage under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
He called out the possible undervaluing of seized goods to keep penalties minimal and lamented that, despite the law’s passage in 2024, only a few cases have been filed and no major smugglers have been jailed.
The senator also stressed the need for stronger law enforcement powers for the Department of Agriculture (DA) and criticized the current apprehension mostly targeting low-level personnel rather than the masterminds behind smuggling networks.
Pangilinan, who urged for better coordination among the legislative, executive, and different government agencies, is scheduled to lead a Senate committee hearing on the issues of smuggling and importation of rice and other products on Sept. 1.