Bernie Anabo Jr.
NO MORE HIDING. NO MORE RUNNING. NO MORE SAFE HAVENS!
Agricultural smugglers are now facing a tougher and more coordinated government offensive as the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) join forces to hunt down those allegedly behind agricultural economic sabotage.
The signing of a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) sends a blunt message: the government is tightening the net around agricultural smugglers, hoarders, profiteers and alleged cartels.
At the center of this intensified drive is BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, who is pushing the Bureau’s border-protection and enforcement machinery to the front lines.
Joining him are DOJ Secretary Atty. Fredderick A. Viado, NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag, and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, who gave his support to the government’s united campaign.
This is no longer a case of agencies working in separate lanes.
THIS IS A FULL-COURT GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE!
The partnership strengthens coordination in investigation, intelligence-sharing, case build-up, evidence evaluation, referral, preliminary investigation, prosecution and enforcement under Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
And that should make agricultural smugglers think twice.
NEPOMUCENO: BOC AT THE BORDER
Commissioner Nepomuceno deserves the spotlight for putting stronger enforcement and border protection at the heart of the campaign.
The BOC is where the battle begins—at the ports, terminals and borders where illegal agricultural shipments can be intercepted before they reach the market.
Nepomuceno made the government’s position crystal clear:
“The fight against agricultural economic sabotage cannot be carried out by one agency alone.”
Exactly.
The BOC will continue stopping illegal shipments and building cases, while the NBI digs deeper into investigations and the DOJ works to ensure that cases are properly pursued under the law.
The numbers tell their own story.
The BOC has endorsed 15 complaints involving 20 respondents to the DOJ for appropriate action over alleged violations of RA 12022.
Since 2025, the Bureau has also filed 30 agriculture-related cases under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), involving 127 respondents.
That is not a warning shot.
THAT IS THE GOVERNMENT TURNING UP THE HEAT!
REMULLA: WATCHDOG EYES ON THE WAR
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla also figured prominently in the historic government convergence.
His presence and message of support underscore the broader institutional importance of the campaign against practices that allegedly undermine farmers, fisherfolk, legitimate businesses and consumers.
Agricultural economic sabotage is not merely a customs problem.
It can affect farm incomes, food supply, market prices and the integrity of the country’s agricultural trade.
That is why the government’s response is now becoming more coordinated and comprehensive.
NBI’S MATABAG: FOLLOW THE TRAIL
NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag brings the investigative muscle to the partnership.
Stopping a shipment is one thing.
Finding out who ordered it, who financed it, who facilitated it, who benefited from it and who may be behind the operation is another.
That is where deeper investigation becomes critical.
With the BOC providing enforcement and customs expertise, and the NBI pursuing investigative leads, the government gains a stronger mechanism for following cases beyond the port.
DOJ’S VIADO: FROM CASE BUILD-UP TO PROSECUTION
DOJ Secretary Atty. Fredderick A. Viado represents another crucial piece of the puzzle: making sure enforcement actions are translated into properly supported legal proceedings.
A seizure alone does not end the fight.
THE CASE MUST STAND. THE EVIDENCE MUST HOLD. AND THE LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE.
The DOJ’s role in preliminary investigation and prosecution is therefore central to making the tripartite agreement work.
LICUP AND BATHAN: BOC ENFORCEMENT MUSCLE
Behind Commissioner Nepomuceno’s enforcement drive are key BOC officials helping keep the machinery moving.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group (IG) Gen. Licup brings the intelligence and enforcement dimension crucial to identifying threats, developing information and supporting operations against suspected illicit activities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group (EG) Gen. Bathan plays a vital role in strengthening enforcement operations and ensuring that the Bureau’s frontline units remain focused on protecting the country’s borders.
INTELLIGENCE. ENFORCEMENT. INVESTIGATION. PROSECUTION.
Put them together and the message becomes unmistakable:
THE NET IS GETTING TIGHTER!
The new Technical Working Group will further develop coordination guidelines, referral mechanisms and information-sharing protocols among the participating agencies.
That means fewer gaps.
Fewer blind spots.
And potentially fewer opportunities for smugglers to exploit weaknesses between government agencies.
FARMERS ARE WATCHING. CONSUMERS ARE WATCHING.
For years, agricultural smuggling has been a deeply troubling issue because its consequences can extend far beyond the port.
When illegally imported agricultural products allegedly enter the market, legitimate traders can be placed under pressure, while farmers and fisherfolk may face unfair competition.
Consumers, meanwhile, bear the consequences of disruptions in the food supply chain.
This is why the DOJ-BOC-NBI alliance matters.
It brings the border enforcers, investigators and prosecutors closer together.
And with Remulla’s support, the partnership carries an even broader institutional message.
NO SINGLE AGENCY CAN WIN THIS WAR ALONE.
Nepomuceno said it plainly:
“Kailangan natin ang teamwork ng DOJ, BOC, at NBI.”
Teamwork is precisely what agricultural smugglers should fear.
Because when intelligence is shared, cases are properly built, evidence is evaluated and prosecutors are brought into the process early, the government’s response becomes harder to evade.
The ports are watching.
The investigators are watching.
The prosecutors are watching.
And now, the message to those allegedly engaged in agricultural economic sabotage is getting louder:
THERE IS NO SAFE HAVEN FOR AGRI SMUGGLERS!
The government has drawn the line.
The BOC is guarding the borders.
The NBI is strengthening the investigation.
The DOJ is preparing the legal machinery.
And the Ombudsman is lending institutional support.
The battle is no longer fragmented.
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMING TOGETHER—AND THE NET IS CLOSING.
