“This not only harms the economy but fosters corruption at multiple levels,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel in a news release last week (July 14), as he detailed the President’s marching orders to go after smugglers, their backers, and enablers with the full force of the law.

Secretary Tiu Laurel confirmed that he has already met with newly appointed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre, and officials from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to craft a joint strategy targeting the syndicates flooding local markets with illegal imports.

“The President has directed the DA to throw the book at the consignees and all those involved in smuggling these agricultural products. By the end of the year, we hope to see many of those responsible handcuffed, facing charges,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.

He added that customs brokers who facilitate these illegal shipments will also be held accountable under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, the Food Safety Act, and the Customs Code.

Uninspected imports—many of which come from Port of Xiamen in China—pose serious threats not only to local livelihoods but also to public health and biosecurity, with potential risks to the country’s plant and livestock industries. The government has since heightened surveillance on shipments from the Chinese port, which has been identified as a major exit point for smuggled agricultural goods.

The President’s directive comes amid growing outrage from farmers’ groups and industry stakeholders who have long decried how smuggling devastates farmgate prices, destabilizes local production, and rewards criminality at the expense of the country’s food sovereignty.

U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson handed over the emergency relief supplies to Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.  Supplies included emergency shelter-grade tarpaulins; shelter repair tools such as handsaws, shovels, ropes, hammers, and nails; and kitchen sets, including pots, pans, bowls, plates, and utensils.  The supplies, which can support at least 10,000 people, will be stored at the OCD warehouse in Fort Magsaysay to facilitate the Philippine government’s rapid delivery of life-saving assistance.  

“Today’s donation demonstrates how EDCA sites like Fort Magsaysay strengthen the Philippines’ humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness efforts,”said Ambassador Carlson. “The U.S. government remains committed to supporting the Philippines as it builds its national and local capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters.”

“The Philippines and the United States have a strong alliance.  This alliance is demonstrated not just through words but through concrete actions of cooperation,” said National Defense Secretary Teodoro.

The United States also aids the Philippines’ disaster response efforts by bolstering its community-based disaster risk reduction, providing disaster response training, and strengthening collaboration between Philippine and U.S. civilian, military, and humanitarian agencies. 

Since 2010, the U.S. government, through USAID, has provided nearly Php19.6 billion ($344 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid and boosted the disaster risk reduction capacity across the country.