By Janina C. Lim
Reporter

AN AGRICULTURE lobby group pressed the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to file charges against syndicates reported to be preying on unsuspecting customs-bonded warehouses (CBWs) as cover for their illegal activity.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, Inc. (SINAG) President Rosendo O. So said in a statement smuggling still flourishes because, “Those who allow smuggling to prosper are not punished despite new laws to combat the illicit trade of agricultural products and several changes in the BoC leadership.”

The umbrella group composed of 33 agriculture group members also urged Customs chief Isidro S. Lapeña to investigate the new modus of smugglers who are allegedly preying on unsuspecting CBW owners.

SINAG said it has received reports that players are allegedly coopting staff members at facilities to allow the use of their CBWs as consignees for smuggled items.

CBWs are facilities established for the manufacture of products utilizing raw materials or components. These products are imported duty and tax-free.

Meanwhile, the agriculture group lauded Senator Panfilo M. Lacson’s filing of economic sabotage and other charges against former Customs chief Nicanor E. Faeldon and other charges in connection with rice smuggling.

“The anti-agricultural smuggling law (RA 10845) has been in place since last year yet, no cases have been filed against smugglers and their cohorts in government, until this filing of Senator Lacson,” Mr. So said.

“We hope that with this landmark case, smugglers and their accomplices or handlers in government would think twice. Under RA 10845, smuggling of agricultural commodity is a non-bailable offense, imposes heavier penalties and perpetually disqualifies erring public officials from holding another government position,” added Mr. So.

SINAG, citing its own research report, said close to P200 billion worth of agricultural goods have been smuggled into the country in the last five years.

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