Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan has called for tougher enforcement of anti-smuggling laws as agricultural smuggling continues unchecked across the country, pointing to the failure of government agencies to prosecute cases and hold perpetrators accountable.
Pangilinan said only four out of 132 agricultural smuggling cases recorded from 2021 to 2025 resulted in complaints being filed with the Department of Justice. He added that 90 percent of the cases failed to progress because the Bureau of Customs did not submit complete documentation.
“The documents submitted were merely photocopies and the originals were never turned over, leading to lack of evidence and eventual dismissal of cases. As a result, no one has been held accountable or jailed,” Pangilinan said.
He stressed the need for urgent reforms to dismantle what he described as “well-organized syndicates” behind large-scale smuggling operations. The senator pushed for tighter measures at the Bureau of Customs. including e-tracking of shipments, improved cooperation among government agencies, higher accountability standards, and immediate warehouse audits to cut off the flow of illicit goods.
The Senate earlier voiced concern over the inability of agencies to stop smuggling schemes involving foreign groups, particularly Chinese exporters working with Filipino collaborators. These operations allegedly use dummy firms and misdeclared cargo to bring contraband products into local ports.
Pangilinan said agricultural smuggling in the Philippines operates much like the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. He pointed to the involvement of Chinese nationals and exporters “in connivance with Filipino smugglers,” describing the system as one that continues to thrive because most cases never move forward.
