Activate anti-economic sabotage group, BBM pressed

An agricultural group urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday to take action against soaring food prices by activating the enforcement group created by the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

The group Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines led by Rep. Nick Briones cited the need to crack down on hoarding, profiteering and smuggling.

“Rice tariffs are down, but why is the price of rice still high?” Briones asked, pointing out that global rice prices had fallen from $580-$600 per metric ton to just over $400.

“Rice in the markets still costs P50 to P60 per kilo,” he said. “Why aren’t Filipinos seeing the lower prices? Importers, hoarders and smugglers aren’t afraid of the law because no one is enforcing it.”

He added that no smugglers recently caught by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) have been prosecuted. He alleged that some BoC officials are “involved in smuggling.”

In November, the BoC seized 21 containers of frozen mackerel from a Chinese company because it lacked import clearances. The contraband was worth P178.5 million, but no charges were filed under the anti-smuggling law.

“This is smuggling, plain and simple,” Briones said. “Cases should have been filed and those involved should be in jail.”

He criticized the BoC for pursuing charges under the “weak and ineffective” Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Briones called on the President to activate the enforcement group, which includes agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police.

“Filipinos are struggling with the high cost of food,” he said. “The President needs to convene these agencies and enforce the law.”

The 2024 law defines smuggling and hoarding of agricultural products worth over P3 million as economic sabotage. Creating cartels and financing smugglers are also included.

Violators face life imprisonment and fines. Covered products include rice, corn, meat, poultry, vegetables, fruit, fish and salt.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, who sponsored the law, has said it doesn’t need further rules because “the law itself is the rule.”