Duterte wants smuggling of goods worth over P50M classified as economic sabotage

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday toughened his talk on combating smuggling in the country by pushing for economic sabotage charges against those found to have slipped contraband items worth more than P50 million.

"I’m going to categorize its importation above P50 million an act of economic sabotage," Duterte said during an awarding ceremony in Malacañang.

"So if you are caught doing it, committing the crime or about the commit, or in fact committed the crime and you are apprehended there somewhere, you will be arrested and you will be detained to face trial. And if it’s more than 50 million, no bail,” he added.

Duterte did not say if his plan will require legislation or mere issuance of order to the Bureau of Customs.

He cited the supposed racket of bus importers where they apply for a single franchise but use it for three or four vehicles.

“They import all kinds of the same quality, weight and everything. At ‘yung ibang truck, ‘yung dalawang ito kunwari, he will apply for a franchise,” he said. “Tapos pag nandiyan na ‘yung franchise, same color and even the same engine, black number and everything, and they allow even three or four for one franchise."

The President said these bus importers should go straight to prison and should be charged with economic sabotage.

Duterte had earlier said he will never tolerate smuggling and all forms of irregularities in ports.

"Illegal practices will be dealt with to ensure that every department, agency and instrumentality of government is free from corruption," Duterte said in a speech on March 14 when he witnessed the destruction of luxury vehicles smuggled through Port Irene in Santa Ana, Cagayan.

He also urged every local government official, civic leader and the general public to help "in forging a drug-, crime-, and corruption-free Philippines." —KBK, GMA News