Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sees the recent spike in agricultural commodity smuggling as a national security threat.

Laurel said the president has already directed law enforcement and intelligence agencies to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) in addressing the illicit trade, which affects the country’s food security.

He said Marcos is concerned about the damage these market-disruptive practices cause to local farmers, fisherfolk, and legitimate businesses.

“This not only harms the economy but fosters corruption at multiple levels,” the DA chief said.

Tiu Laurel said he already met with newly appointed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre, and representatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ”to devise strategies for targeting smuggling syndicates.”

He added that customs brokers would also face legal consequences as part of efforts to enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, the Food Safety Act, and the Customs Code.

Imported goods, primarily from the Port of Xiamen, are under heightened scrutiny as most of the smuggled goods are shipped out of the Chinese port, according to Tiu Laurel.