The Bureau of Customs building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said erring government officials and personnel in the Bureau of Customs will not be spared in the intensified campaign against smuggling of agricultural products.
Remulla witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement by Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag and Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
“There can be no sacred cows. Wala kaming sasantuhin dito. Ang laban sa agricultural economic sabotage ay laban rin sa korapsyon,” Remulla said.
BOC seeks funding for condemnation facilities amid resale of smuggled goods
Signed at the DOJ, the MOA establishes a stronger framework for coordination between the DOJ, NBI and the BOC in enforcing Republic Act No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
The three agencies are expected to ensure stronger investigations, solid case build-up and effective prosecution of agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartelization which affect the livelihoods of local farmers and fisherfolk and disrupt the food supply chain.
“Our goal is not simply to file cases, it is to file cases that can withstand judicial scrutiny and to those who profit from agricultural sabotage and to those in government who protect them, let me speak plainly the gaps between our agencies where you have operated, today we begin closing those gaps,” Vida said.
The BOC said that since 2025, the BOC has filed 30 agriculture-related cases under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act involving 100 respondents.
“Sa mata ng ating magsasaka, sa experience ng ating mga ordinaryong mamayan, balewala naman lahat ng reports, balewala ang mga pirmahang ito, dapat maramdaman nila itong kongkreto sa kanilang hanap-buhay, sa kongkretong karanasan nila sa kanilang buhay araw-araw,” Nepomuceno said.
OTHER NEWS: