Manila, Feb. 4 -- The Department of Finance (DOF) must step up the prosecution of smugglers and perpetrators of illicit trade of dutiable products to minimize, if not eradicate such illegal activities.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Tuesday that the DOF, along with attached agencies Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC), should revisit their strategies for securing convictions against those apprehended for smuggling and illicit trade.

"We can instruct law enforcement agencies to conduct entrapment operations and intercept all illicit trade. If your (DOF) efforts do not lead to any conviction, then the apprehensions become futile," Gatchalian said during a recent Senate hearing conducted by the Committee on Ways a...