MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is intensifying efforts to combat agricultural smuggling, calling it a persistent threat to Filipino farmers and the country’s food security.

Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, met Tuesday with Secretary Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs and chair of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, to discuss ways to strengthen government measures against smuggling and hold accountable those behind hoarding of products such as rice and vegetables.

In recent Senate hearings, Pangilinan named companies and customs brokers suspected of smuggling frozen mackerel, onions, and other agricultural products valued at over P10 million, which qualify as non-bailable economic sabotage under the 2024 Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

He criticized the possible undervaluing of seized goods to minimize penalties and lamented that few cases have been filed and no major smugglers have been jailed. He also highlighted the need for stronger law enforcement powers for the Department of Agriculture and said that current enforcement largely targets low-level personnel rather than masterminds of smuggling networks.

Pangilinan called for better coordination among legislative, executive, and other government agencies and is set to lead a Senate committee hearing on smuggling and the importation of rice and other products on September 1.