Manila, July 17 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported the confiscation of more than PHP3.09 billion worth of smuggled rice and agri-fishery products amid an intensified campaign against agricultural smuggling, hoarding, and profiteering - now considered forms of economic sabotage under the Marcos administration.

Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the seized items were confiscated from November 2023 to February 20, according to the DA-Inspectorate and Enforcement (IE) operations.

"Simula noong umupo ang ating pangulo, more than PHP3 billion worth na ng agricultural goods or smuggled goods iyong nakumpiska natin sa napakaraming operasyon (Since our president has assumed his office, we have...