By Manny Piñol
Vigilant Bantay Dagat members in Zamboanga City have intercepted three vessels suspected to be loaded with smuggled sugar in Barangay Taluksangay of the city today.
I received the urgent report from media man Bong Simbajon of RMN radio station in Zamboanga City who earlier committed to me that he will also help in curbing smuggling of rice, sugar and other agricultural commodities in the Southern City.
Immediately, I talked to Phil. National Police Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who said that he will immediately order the Zamboanga City Police chief to hold the vessels.
The information was also relayed to Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon through his men who are working with me in the Dept. of Agriculture.
Zamboanga City is notorious for being the drop off point of smuggled agricultural goods especially rice and sugar.
President Rody Duterte has vowed to stop the smuggling of rice, sugar and other agricultural commodities and this is the first reported incident of a smuggling attempt under his Presidency.
Simbajon told me that “powerful personalities” are now interceding and working for the release of the three vessels.
I have, however, asked Chief PNP Bato dela Rosa to make sure that the vessels are held and the smugglers are arrested and charged with violating the law on smuggling which has now been elevated to the level of economic sabotage.
(File photo from GMANews shows Customs personnel with smuggled sugar in the Manila International Container Port.Photos of Chief PNP dela Rosa and Customs Chief Faeldon downloaded from Google.)
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