Large-scale agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and related acts should be considered "heinous crime," Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said in a statement. Courtesy of Bureau of Customs
"No one is having a day in court. Worse, the ring leaders behind such vile acts can continue with their businesses and operations. It is very likely that they are receiving special treatment and protection from government higher-ups that even several Anti-Smuggling Task Forces put up by the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Customs have become laughing stocks," said KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos on Thursday, May 18. This statement is in relation to the farmers' group support for the bills proposing amendments to Republic Act 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. "Bukod sa anti-smuggling, tama na idagdag ang umiiral na kalakaran ng hoarding, profiteering at operasyong cartel sa mga amyenda sa RA 10845. Nakita na hindi naging sapat at epektibo ang batas sa pagsawata sa malaganap na iligal na mga gawaing ito na lalong nagpapabigat sa kalagayan ng ating mga magsasaka at konsyumer (In addition to anti-smuggling, it is appropriate to include hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations in the amendments to RA 10845. It has been observed that the law has not been sufficient and effective in suppressing these widespread illegal activities, which further worsen the conditions of our farmers and consumers)," Ramos noted. "Ilang dekada nang umiiral ang large-scale smuggling, hoarding, profiteering at operasyong cartel na isinasagawa ng mga "institutionalized cartel" sa iba’t-ibang industriya sa agrikultura — bigas, livestock, gulay, bawang at sibuyas, asukal at iba pa (Large-scale smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations have been existing for decades, carried out by 'institutionalized cartels' in various agricultural industries such as rice, livestock, vegetables, garlic and onions, sugar, and others)," he added. He also expressed approval for punishing the "masterminds and entire network of organized mafia" within the industry. In a hearing conducted the same day, the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, along with Justice and Human Rights, Ways and Means, and Finance, discussed several bills that target strengthening the said Act to make the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. KMP said that it has submitted its position on the proposed amendment to the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform headed by Senator Cynthia Villar.