Marcos Administration Intensifies Crackdown on Agricultural Smuggling

March 8, 2025 – The Marcos administration is stepping up efforts to combat agricultural smuggling, hoarding, and profiteering, as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage (AAES) Council held its inaugural meeting on March 5 in Malacañang.

Key Developments

• The AAES Council was created under Republic Act 12022, signed into law in October 2024, imposing harsher penalties on individuals involved in agricultural economic sabotage.
• Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go chaired the meeting, which formalized key teams responsible for enforcing the law.
• The council includes officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Crackdown on Agricultural Smuggling

• The AAES will target large-scale smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartels that disrupt supply chains and threaten food security.
• The DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) will oversee the creation of a Daily Price Index (DPI) to monitor agricultural prices.
• The DOF and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will implement the National Single Window system to tighten cargo clearance and prevent illegal imports.
• The council formed an Executive Committee to issue Letters of Authority for enforcement operations.

Strong Government Action

“We are sending a strong message that those who undermine our agricultural sectors will face swift and decisive action,” said Go.

The AAES Council will meet quarterly, with special sessions held as needed to sustain enforcement momentum.