Smuggling of agri goods worse under PNoy – Sinag
A LEADER of an agricultural group charged that smuggling of agricultural goods increased under the watch of the Aquino administration.
Engr. Rosendo So of the Samahan ng Industriyang Agrikultura (Sinag) told local newsmen Thursday during the KBP Forum, that the total amount of smuggled agricultural commodities like rice, pork, chicken, sugar, onions, carrots and garlic reached P198.705 -billion from 2010 to 2014 compared to P94.87- billion for the period 2005 to 2009.
While noting suspected smugglers like David Tan, David Lim, Lea Cruz, Nixon Lee were identified during the present administration, So laments that suspected smugglers remain scot-free since cases filed against them remain pending in courts.
He added there are no heavy penalties imposed on smugglers as he pointed out that the country needs a law that will make illegal importation a crime without possible bail.
So, also president and founding chair of Abono party-list, recently attended a congressional hearing on consolidated bills declaring smuggling of agricultural goods as economic sabotage.
Abono party-list Reps. Conrado Estrella III and Francisco Emmanuel Ortega authored the bill and co-sponsored by congressmen from Northern Luzon that defines smuggling as an act that constitutes economic sabotage.
Counterpart bills in the Senate have been filled by Senators Cynthia Villar and JV Ejercito.
“This is what we want so that once and for all, smuggling would stop,” he said. (Tita Roces)
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