Marcos urges public to report agri smugglers, hoarders

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 6) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged the public to report individuals involved in the smuggling and hoarding of agricultural goods.

"Mga kababayan, gaano man kalaki ang kanilang sindikato…wala pong binatbat 'yan sa nagkakaisa nating lakas," Marcos said during a rice distribution event in Capiz.

"Kaya kung may nalalaman po kayong sangkot sa ganitong transaksyon, wag po kayong matakot na mag suplong," he added.

[Translation: My countrymen, no matter how big their syndicate is…it's no match against our unified strength. So if you know someone involved in such transactions, don't be afraid to come forward.]

Marcos previously warned smugglers that the government will be chasing the «big syndicates» in charge of what the administration equates to «economic sabotage.»

READ: Marcos orders probe into hoarding, smuggling of agricultural products

"Makilahok sa pagbabantay sa ating lipunan. Marami parin po tayong malalaking nakakapanloko ng kapwa. Tunay po na nakakagalit ang mga smugglerat hoarder na 'yan," Marcos said.

[Translation: Join us in monitoring our society. There are still powerful people who dupe others. Those smugglers and hoarders are really infuriating.]

The chief executive said lawmakers are currently working on amendments to criminalize agricultural hoarding and smuggling to increase their penalties.

The House of Representatives earlier approved on third and final reading the bill that seeks to strengthen the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling law by imposing heavier penalties against smugglers.

Meanwhile, an agriculture group pushed for the creation of a special court to focus on smuggling cases.