The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it is strengthening its cooperation with other government agencies to suppress smuggling, particularly on agricultural products.
In the July 7 Laging Handa briefing, Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla said the bureau is also tightening its inspection procedures to prevent the entry and exit of smuggled products in and out of the country.
“Mago-focus ang Bureau of Customs katuwang ang iba pang ahensiya na miyembro nitong task force natin ngayon sa pagsugpo nitong agricultural smuggling,” he said.
“Paiigtingin namin ang aming koordinasyon sa ibang ahensiya, ang aming risk management parameters, at ang aming inspection procedures para mapigilan natin lalo at hindi na ulit magkaroon ng issues pagdating sa agricultural smuggling,” he added.
Maronilla said they are in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy, and are utilizing fast patrol boats to monitor ports suspected of being used for high-seas smuggling.
To date, he said around 200 cases have been filed on agricultural smuggling.
He said three individuals have been imprisoned for agricultural goods smuggling, while the rest of the cases are being processed for the filing of charges.
He said seized smuggled agricultural goods since the start of the year have an estimated cost of P2.5 billion.
Meanwhile, the disposal of confiscated smuggled onions will be referred to the Department of Agriculture.
“Tatandaan po natin, kapag smuggled ang isang item, wala po siyang tinatawag nating health permit or sanitary permit, na sinusuri ng ating Department of Agriculture kung ang produktong ito ay pwede ikonsumo ng publiko,” he said. – With reports from Trisha Casabar-ag
