‘File economic sabotage raps vs onion smugglers’

MANILA, Philippines - A group of farmers, agribusiness operators and party-list group has called on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to file charges of economic sabotage against those behind the smuggling of onion worth P130 million.

Samahang Industriya sa Agrikultura (Sinag) said Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon should arrest the perpetrators to prove the resolve of the administration to stop smuggling in the country.

“We are hoping that this time these smugglers will be apprehended, charged and punished accordingly. Many in the agriculture sector voted for the President because of his promise to end smuggling,” said Sinag chairman Rosendo So.

Sinag said they received reports that Sanfred Trading and Great Light Trading abandoned 87 shipping containers at the port.

So said the consignees tried to release nine shipping containers so it could be inspected at their warehouse.

“Next thing we knew, they have abandoned the shipment, citing decomposition. Most of the containers were declared as garlic, but the content was onion,” he said.

Under Republic Act 10845 smugglers of agricultural products can be charged with economic sabotage if the value of their shipment is equivalent to at least P10 million for rice and P1 million for other products, such as sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic and onion.

Violators face life imprisonment and a fine equivalent to 200 percent of the value of the product aside from taxes, duties and other charges. – Louise Maureen Simeon, Mary Grace Padin, Eva Visperas