DA asks DOJ to expedite processing of alleged agri product smugglers

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to fast-track its investigation on the smuggling of agricultural products, as it seeks to  discourage the illegal entry of commodities into the Philippines.

According to Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin Adriano, the DA wants to expedite the cases being heard against alleged smugglers and make an example of them should they be proven guilty.

“Kami po ay gusto namin na maging mabilis sana yung proseso para mabigyan natin ng example at madiscourage natin ‘to, kasi talagang malaki ang nawawala sa kaban ng bayan at mas matindi ‘yung impact dun sa ating mga magsasaka,” he said during the Laging Handa virtual briefing.

[We want the process to be quick to make an example and to discourage this, because huge losses are recorded in government coffers and the impact is larger on our farmers.]

This comes as Congress is looking into the smuggling of agricultural products in the country, with high-profile personalities supposedly involved in illegal trade.

During a Senate hearing earlier this month, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he received a dossier naming four alleged vegetable smugglers.

“Kinakailangan talagang pagibayuhin ng DOJ ang pag-prosecute nito at sana bilisan nila. We are trying to lobby, to advocate to the DOJ to make the process much faster,” Adriano said.

[The DOJ needs to step up the processing and fast-track it. We are trying to lobby, to advocate to the DOJ to make the process much faster.]  — RSJ, GMA News