Manila, June 23 -- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday slammed claims that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is "clueless" against agricultural smuggling, stressing that enforcement is not part of the agency's primary mandate.

He particularly criticized a report about "helplessness" in curbing illicit trade even as he seeks collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for enforcement. Under existing laws, the DA needs to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to crack down on unscrupulous traders.

"We are not clueless. We actually know everything that's happening. Ang problema, ang DA, wala kaming (the problem is, the DA has no) enforcement," Tiu Laurel said in an interview.

Tiu Laurel bared pl...