President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday revealed that his administration is seeking stiffer penalties for agricultural economic sabotage as he urged the public to report agricultural commodity smuggling and hoarding to authorities.

During the distribution of rice in the province of Capiz, the President stressed that the public should not be afraid to report smugglers to authorities if they have information against those involved in these transactions.

"If you know someone involved in these types of transactions, do not be afraid to report them to the authorities," Marcos said. "No matter how big their syndicate is, just like the smuggler we apprehended at the Zamboanga pier last August, they can't even compare to our united strength."

Marcos asked the public to help the government safeguard the local market from smugglers and hoarders, who continue to manipulate the prices of agricultural goods.

The President also assured that his administration is already coordinating with legislators to amend the Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 and impose severe sanctions to these perpetrators and their accomplices.

"We are also coordinating with Congress to amend certain laws to officially classify agricultural economic sabotage as a crime and to increase the penalties for it," said Marcos.

Meanwhile, former Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas joined Marcos as they distributed rice in Capiz and the President said that Roxas — a relative of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos — is his "long-time friend" despite sharing different ideas of the political spectrum.