President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday has enjoined the people of Capiz to help the government safeguard the local market from smugglers and hoarders, who continue to manipulate the prices of agricultural goods.

“Makilahok sa pagbabantay sa ating lipunan! Marami pa rin pong tayong [malayang nakapanloloko] ng kapwa. Tunay pong nakakagalit ang mga smuggler at hoarder na iyan,” he said in his message at the distribution of rice and government assistance to the residents of Capiz held Roxas City.

President Marcos stressed the need for the public’s cooperation and ask them to report any anomalous transactions.

“Mga kababayan, gaano man kalaki ang kanilang sindikato—tulad ng natimbog natin na smuggler sa pier ng Zamboanga noong buwan ng Agosto—wala pong [binatbat] iyan sa nagkakaisa nating lakas.,” he said.

“Kaya kung may nalalaman po kayong sangkot sa mga ganitong transakyon, huwag po kayong matakot na magsuplong,” he added.

The chief executive also assured that his administration is already coordinating with legislators to amend the Republic Act No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and impose severe sanctions to these perpetrators and their accomplices.

“Nakikipag-ugnayan din tayo sa Kongreso na maamyendahan ang ilang batas upang tuluyan nang maging krimen ang agricultural economic sabotage at mapabigat ang parusa dito,” he said.

President Marcos is in Capiz province to distribute government assistance, along with Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), TESDA, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). |PND