The Bureau of Customs (BOC) should file charges of economic sabotage against RPR International Trading, the rice broker that tried to smuggle P20 million worth of rice in the country, according to an agricultural group.
Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) Chairman Rosendo So said Republic Act (RA) 10845 decreed the smuggling of agricultural products as an act that constitutes economic sabotage.
“This is another litmus test on the resolve of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon to combat smuggling,” So said in a statement.
He said it is not enough for the BOC to simply suspend the accreditation of the consignee and conduct photo-ops for the apprehended containers.
“We are hoping that this time, these smugglers will be apprehended, charged and punished accordingly. Many in the agriculture sector voted for President Duterte because of his campaign promise to end smuggling,” So said.
Under RA 10845, the amount of smuggled agricultural product subject to economic sabotage is equal to or more than P10 million for rice, and equal to or more than P1 million for other agricultural products, such as sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish and cruciferous vegetables, according to Sinag.
The group added that under RA 10845, smugglers and their cohorts will face a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of twice the fair value of the smuggled agricultural product and the aggregate amount of the taxes, duties and other charges avoided.
The BOC seized 12 container vans carrying P20 million worth of imported rice from China at the South Harbor, Port of Manila on Tuesday.
So also urged the BOC to file charges of economic sabotage against Sanfred Trading and Great Light Trading—the consignees of 88 40-foot containers containing red onions, when the import permit issued was for garlic and ginger.
“No one has been charged of economic sabotage, that’s why the smugglers are still brave enough to continue their business,” So said.
As of press time, officials of RPR International Trading, Sanfred Trading and Great Light Trading could not be reached for comment.
The group estimated that around P200 billion worth of agricultural goods were smuggled into the country in the past five years.
Sinag also said that rice, with a market value of P94 billion, is the single biggest agricultural commodity being smuggled into the country. This was followed by pork at P40 billion, then sugar at close to P25 billion, according to Sinag.
“A market value of P200 billion translates to around P60 billion to P80 billion in lost revenues for the government, since these agricultural commodities are supposed to be protected and levied a higher tariff of 30 percent to 40 percent,” Sinag said.