MANILA—The Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have strengthened their joint efforts against agricultural smuggling through a tripartite agreement aimed at improving investigations and prosecutions of those involved in the illegal trade.

Justice Secretary Atty. Fredderick A. Vida, BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, and NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag signed the Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which provides a framework for closer coordination in enforcing Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla attended the signing and expressed support for the partnership.

The agencies said agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartelization hurt legitimate businesses and local farmers and fisherfolk while disrupting the country’s food supply chain.

Under the agreement, the DOJ, BOC and NBI will coordinate on information and intelligence sharing, criminal investigation support, case build-up, evidence evaluation, referrals, preliminary investigations, prosecution and enforcement, consistent with their respective mandates and existing laws and regulations.

A Technical Working Group will also be formed to establish coordination guidelines, referral mechanisms, information-sharing protocols and other measures needed to implement the agreement.

Nepomuceno said the partnership would combine the enforcement, investigative and legal capabilities of the three agencies.

“The fight against agricultural economic sabotage cannot be carried out by one agency alone. Kailangan natin ang teamwork ng DOJ, BOC, at NBI. Habang patuloy ang BOC sa pagharang ng mga iligal na kargamento at pagbuo ng mga kaso, katuwang natin ang NBI sa mas malalim na imbestigasyon at ang DOJ sa pagtiyak na ang mga lumalabag sa batas ay mananagot. Those who undermine our agricultural sector and threaten food security will be pursued and held accountable,” Nepomuceno said.

The BOC said it has endorsed 15 complaints involving 20 respondents to the DOJ for appropriate action over alleged violations of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

Since 2025, the bureau has also filed 30 agriculture-related cases under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act involving 127 respondents.

The tripartite agreement forms part of the government’s whole-of-government approach to addressing agricultural economic sabotage, with the agencies seeking to ensure that enforcement operations are supported by investigations and prosecution.