Gov't officials gear up for implementation of anti-agricultural smuggling law

Key government agencies mandated to implement the recently enacted Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage (AES) Act assured the public that they are gearing up for an intensified enforcement of the law.

Members of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage (AES) Council and the AES Enforcement Group, alongside relevant government agencies, gathered recently for the first time in a forum organized by the Stratbase Institute.

The AES Act or Republic Act 12022 classifies agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and engaging in cartel as acts of economic sabotage. Violators risk life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the goods involved. The measure was signed into law in September.

During the forum, the AES Council and the Enforcement Group pushed for greater interagency collaboration and stronger enforcement measures to ensure the effectiveness of the new law.