Senator Robin Padilla sought the death penalty for Bureau of Customs personnel, soldiers, policemen and other uniformed personnel involved in smuggling – particularly agricultural smuggling – which he said has negatively affected the livelihood of Filipino farmers.
Padilla filed Senate Bill 2214, seeking to amend Section 4 of Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 by imposing the death penalty if the offense is committed by such personnel.
“We have to send a strong message that the large-scale agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel of agricultural products perpetrated by the officers and employees of the Bureau of Customs, are heinous and a threat to the very foundation of our society. Hence, there is a compelling reason to impose the death penalty,” the legislator said in his bill.
“Large-scale smuggling and other pernicious activities are threatening the lives of the people by pushing them further to the brink of poverty and putting our country in grave food insecurity.”
“Large-scale smuggling and other pernicious activities are threatening the lives of the people by pushing them further to the brink of poverty and putting our country in grave food insecurity. All these while our customs administration remains riddled by persistent corruption and perversity,” the senator added.
At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, Padilla said it is painful to think of Filipinos continually being affected by a scourge especially if law enforcers are involved.
“Magsasaka ang mga nahihirapan dito, kabuhayan ng mahihirap na tao.”
“Magsasaka ang mga nahihirapan dito, kabuhayan ng mahihirap na tao. Agricultural country tayo, sinasabing agricultural country tayo pero nag-i-import tayo, di ba nakakahiya yan? Law enforcement kayo. Pinamumugaran tayo ng smuggling. Sa tingin nyo ba masaya ako na life imprisonment lang kayo?” he told BOC personnel who attended the hearing.
Padilla, who earlier filed Senate Bill 2042 seeking the death penalty for security personnel involved in murder, said he plans to file a similar measure seeking the death penalty for BOC personnel who are proven involved in such smuggling.
Besides, he said that unless the problem is addressed, the country cannot solve the rebellion problem.
“Meron tayong paguusap sa kapayapaan para mawala ang rebelde. Paano naman mawawala ang rebelde kung pinapahirapan naman natin ang magsasaka? Para tayong naglolokohan sa bansa na ito. Kaya po sana mga mahal kong kababayan magtulong tulong tayo sa usaping ito,” Padilla concluded.
