Laurel warns against onion smuggling
Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. Inquirer photo. Richard A. Reyes
MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. warned against onion smuggling, saying that although their target remains the “big fish,” the entire supply chain, including brokers, truck drivers and retailers, could be held accountable.
Doubling down on its anti-smuggling campaign, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a statement on Friday it is teaming up with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to go after illegal trade activities.
In 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which imposes tougher penalties for smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartel activities involving agricultural and fishery products.
READ: Agri trader tagged in alleged onion smuggling skips House inquiry
“It’s the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to stop smuggling—that’s why we now have this law,” the agriculture chief said Wednesday during a Paco Market visit in Manila, as cited in the statement.
Laurel said suspected imported red onions, which are “larger and cleaner” than local onions, have surfaced in markets without import permits.
He urged vendors to help trace the origin of the goods.
“I’m very concerned,” he said. “This should be a time of recovery for farmers, but their income is being undermined.”
The agriculture department, in coordination with the PNP, is eyeing warehouse inspections and raids as part of its efforts to combat onion smuggling.
Seized onions will undergo lab testing to check for potential health risks, as previous inspections of smuggled white onions found traces of E. coli and heavy metals, the agriculture department said.
According to the DA, around P2.8 billion worth of smuggled agricultural products were seized in 2024.
READ: DA seized P2.8B worth of smuggled agri products in 2024
The agriculture department also seeks to train police officers to distinguish between locally produced and imported agricultural products. (Lau Bacia, INQUIRER.net trainee). /mr
