Police power needed vs. agri smugglers

THE DEPARTMENT  of Agriculture (DA) has emphasized the need for the agency to be given police power to apprehend and file charges against smugglers in the country, whether technical or outright. 

In a virtual press briefing, Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin Dantes Adriano insisted their authority is limited under the law to mere collaboration with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), rather than apprehension of smugglers.

“Kung gusto niyo magkaroon ng ngipin ang departamento laban sa smuggling, bigyan po natin ng kapangyarihan, ng mandato, na (If we want the department to have power against smuggling, give it power, mandate, to) makapag-file, apprehend, and file cases against smugglers. Pero sa ngayon po sa batas, wala pong magagawa ang DA, kundi umasa sa BOC, kasi sila ‘yung naroon sa batas na may kapangyarihan noon (but as of now, the DA has no option but to rely on BOC, they have the power under law),” he said.

Earlier, the DA had already mentioned several schemes used by smugglers including misdeclaration, undervaluation, and outright smuggling.

Adriano explained that smuggled products are being offered at a much more affordable price due to their lower production and delivery cost.

“Kung mahuli sila ng isang beses, pero kung maging successful sila sa (If they are arrested once, yet succeed on the) second, or third attempt nila na mag-smuggle, kikita pa rin sila kasi malaki nga ‘yung price difference (they will still profit due to the significant price difference),” he said.

Meanwhile, Adriano noted they are conducting an investigation to trace the alleged cohorts of technical smugglers within their department.

He also mentioned the DA's intensified collaboration with the BOC, which is also currently conducting its own administrative investigation.

“‘Yung manifest ng iniimport at kung saan galing na bansa ‘yung import na ‘yun ay ishe-share sa atin, ito recent lang nagpirmahan po ang departamento ng agrikultura at BOC about that, (The manifest of imports, its country of origin, we will share it, it was recently signed by the department and the BOC),” he said. ( Stephanie Sevillano)