MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. now considers the recent surge in agricultural smuggling a national security threat and has directed law enforcement and intelligence agencies to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) in cracking down on the illicit trade.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel said Tuesday that he has already met separately with Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre, and representatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to devise strategies for targeting smuggling syndicates.

“The President has directed the DA to throw the book at the consignees and all those involved in smuggling these agricultural products. By the end of the year, we hope to see many of those responsible handcuffed, facing charges,” said Tiu Laurel.

He added that customs brokers would also face legal consequences, with the DA set to enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, the Food Safety Act, and the Customs Code.

Tiu Laurel emphasized that President Marcos is particularly concerned about the harm smuggling inflicts on local farmers, fisherfolk, and legitimate businesses, warning that such practices “not only harm the economy but foster corruption at multiple levels.”

The government’s response treats smuggling as a critical national security issue, especially as uninspected agricultural imports pose biosecurity risks to the country’s plant and livestock industries. Tiu Laurel said imported goods from the Port of Xiamen are now under heightened scrutiny, as most of the smuggled goods enter through this Chinese port.