PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act by ensuring swift and decisive action against violators and offenders in the agriculture sector.
As part of its strict implementation, President Marcos created an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group that will focus on dismantling smuggling operations and apprehending offenders, along with the development of a special team of prosecutors nationwide to expedite cases related to agricultural sabotage.
“We will enforce the law and ensure that swift and decisive action is taken against anyone who dares to sabotage our agricultural sector,” President Marcos said during the ceremonial signing of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act on Thursday.
“Together with that, we are also creating an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group, dedicated to dismantling smuggling operations and apprehending offenders,” he added.
The Chief Executive assured that cases will be filed and resolved urgently by dismantling powerful forces in the system. In Bagong Pilipinas, there will be no backdoors, shortcuts, or turning a blind eye, he added.
“No longer will these cases gather dust. They will be prioritized and they will be resolved urgently. We will confront and dismantle the powerful forces that have long exploited our system for their own gain, ensuring that justice prevails, and the dignity of our agricultural sector is upheld,” President Marcos pointed out.
“No more backdoors, no more shortcuts, and certainly no more turning a blind eye in Bagong Pilipinas.”
The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act considers smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and engaging in cartels as forms of economic sabotage. Other prohibited acts include financing agricultural economic sabotage, the use of government storage facilities by traders and other private businesses, and specified violations by members of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group.
Offenders and violators shall be penalized with life imprisonment and a fine five times the value of the confiscated agricultural and fishery products.
