PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the reported smuggling of onions into the country.
The Marcos administration acknowledges the detrimental impact of onion smuggling on the agricultural sector, Filipino farmers, and the national economy.
According to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Report No. 25, President Marcos emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for those responsible.
“To address this issue, the Department will closely collaborate with various government agencies, including the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture,” stated the DOJ in a press statement.
The DOJ plans to establish an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force and a Special Team of Prosecutors dedicated to safeguarding the entire agricultural sector, not just the onion industry.
Key members of the Task Force include Chief State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon, who heads the Office of the Prosecutor General, and Director Medardo De Lemos, who leads the National Bureau of Investigation.
“Our team of investigators will diligently gather evidence, conduct interviews, and analyze data to uncover the complex networks involved in onion smuggling. Our shared objective is clear: dismantle these networks and ensure that those responsible face legal consequences,” the DOJ explained.
Presently, the DOJ is building cases against individuals and organizations implicated in onion smuggling. Once these cases are prepared, the DOJ will file charges, ensuring that those accountable are held fully liable under the law.
“The DOJ is fully committed, alongside the President, to eradicating onion smuggling in the Philippines. The Department’s efforts encompass not only investigation and prosecution but also enhancing the regulatory framework and strengthening border controls to prevent future incidents,” the DOJ affirmed.
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