Diokno laments absence of PNP probe on agri goods smuggling
Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel 'Chel Diokno' has joined those who express dismay over the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) failure to investigate the alleged rampant smuggling of agricultural products in the country.
Diokno, who is running for senator under Vice President Leni Robredo’s slate, said he was displeased by the revelation of Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Federico Laciste Jr. to Benguet farmers that some “big-time” personalities and politicians asked him to lay off seizures of smuggled produce mostly from China.
“Matagal na pala itong isyu bakit walang (This has been a longstanding issue why is there no) police investigation?” Diokno asked in a statement.
“This is the kind of organized crime that our law enforcers should be prioritizing,” he added.
The veteran lawyer expressed dismay over the PNP not conducting a probe after Laciste claimed receiving calls from personalities allegedly involved in agricultural smuggling during a recent Senate hearing.
Laciste told the Senate Committee of the Whole that high-level people have called him up when cases are being prepared against them.
READ: DA exec admits ‘big-time’ personalities involved in smuggling called up to ask favors
Diokno said authorities should have taken the initiative to look into these allegations since smuggling is costing the government huge revenues.
He also cited the adverse effect of the rampant smuggling of vegetables and other agricultural products to the livelihood of thousands of Filipino farmers and their families.
“Maraming magsasaka at mangingisda, pati na ang kanilang mga pamilya, ang nawalan ng kabuhayan at kumakalam ang sikmura dahil sa talamak na smuggling kaya marapat lang na ito’y sugpuin ng pamahalaan (Many farmers and fishermen, including their families, have lost livelihood and are starving because of the rampant smuggling that’s why it should be addressed by the government),” he said.
If he wins a Senate seat, Diokno wants to establish access to free legal assistance in every barrio, like the Free Legal Helpdesk that he put up on his Facebook page, to provide ordinary citizens with immediate legal help.
He will also push for an independent commission to investigate abuses allegedly committed or instigated by persons in authority, to avoid cover-ups and ensure that those who are supposed to enforce the law are punished when they blatantly break the law.