President Marcos has directed the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to intensify the campaign against agricultural smugglers as they disrupt the supply chain and impact the prices of goods in the market.

Marcos said this as he led the inspection of P178.5 million of smuggled mackerel in Manila on Saturday, Dec. 14.

In his remarks, the President said that the seizure of the smuggled mackerel marks the first case filed under Republic Act (RA) No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act of 2024.

"Kaya't ito yung buong tinatawag na chain na kailangan nating buwagin (This is the chain that we need to dismantle),” he said.  

“[This] is the first case under the new law. I’ve spoken to our Bureau of Customs, and I’ve spoken to the Department of Agriculture and we have to keep going. Kailangang patibayin pa natin ito (We need to strengthen this)," he added.

As he led the inspection of 21 container vans of frozen mackerels at the Port Area in Manila, Marcos cited the importance of government agencies working together to combat agricultural smuggling.

The BOC’s Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and the Manila International Container Port (MICP) intercepted the shipment.

The frozen goods, valued at approximately P178.5 million, were seized by the BOC in collaboration with the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

According to the President, the seized mackerel, declared fit for human consumption by the BFAR, will be distributed to families in evacuation centers who have been affected by recent adversities. This will be done through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other groups such as the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

The donation was formalized through a Deed of Donation and Acceptance, signed by BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., with the support of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.

The seized mackerel will be distributed to marginalized barangays across the 17 local government units (LGUS) in Metro Manila, as well as one LGU each in Central Luzon and Calabarzon. The beneficiaries will also include individuals in city jails, public hospitals, and various care facilities.

An estimated 150,000 families are expected to benefit from the donation, which will begin distribution on the same day, ensuring immediate support to communities in need.

Authorities reported that 58,800 cartons in 21 containers of frozen mackerel shipments from China arrived at the MICP on Sept. 28 and 29.

Officials said the shipment violated DA Memorandum Order No. 14, s. 2024, which suspends the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances for the importation of round scads, mackerel, and bonito.

The BOC has seized P5.87 billion worth of smuggled agricultural products from July 2022 to November 2024.

It has filed 250 cases involving agricultural products worth P8.59 billion from 2018 to 2024. The BOC recorded four convictions involving the illicit importation of agricultural products.