BALAYAN, Batangas – The Batangas Farmers Agriculture Cooperative is throwing its support behind Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno “for his leadership, decisive action, and continuing commitment” to strengthening the government’s campaign against agricultural smuggling geared towards the protection of farmers and fisherfolk even as rumors start to circulate that he is on the way out of the agency.
In a statement released on November 11 from their headquarter here, the group said they lauded Commissioner Nepomuceno’s initiatives that they noted also contribute to safeguarding the country’s food security while promoting integrity and accountability in customs administration.
“The fight against agricultural smuggling is a continuing national responsibility that requires firm leadership, capable enforcement agencies, effective laws, transparent customs administration, and the active cooperation of the agricultural sector and the Filipino people.”
The Cooperative, whose members and stakeholders depend on a fair, transparent, and sustainable agricultural sector, said it recognizes the serious damage caused by agricultural smuggling and other illicit trade practices.
“These activities undermine the livelihood of local producers, distort market competition, deprive the government of lawful revenues, and threaten the stability of the country’s food supply,” reads the statement.
Under Commissioner Nepomuceno’s leadership, Customs has pursued a more active and coordinated approach to border protection, intelligence-driven enforcement, investigation, and institutional reform, the cooperative explained.
In particular, it cited the following accomplishments the agency chalked under Nepomuceno’s stewardship of the agency in the one year he has been in office:
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A representative image of Commissioner Nepomuceno meeting with Batangas farmers (created with help from AI). July 8, 2025, the BOC, together with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), conducted an inspection at the Port of Subic that uncovered agricultural commodities concealed in containers initially declared as chicken products. Ten containers were found to contain carrots, white onions, and frozen mackerel, with an estimated value of approximately ₱100 million.
- On March 27, 2026, the BOC also reported the interception of approximately ₱47.436 million worth of frozen and processed food products at the Port of Subic. The shipments had been declared as assorted shabu-shabu balls but were found, upon physical examination, to contain various food products, including frozen beef, pork, chicken, duck, seafood, and other items.
- June 1, 2026, Commissioner Nepomuceno, together with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), led an inspection of imported agricultural products found in a cold-storage facility in Nueva Ecija. The products included onions and garlic, with a combined estimated value of ₱35,437,198. A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) had been issued in connection with the shipment, while the NBI and the BOC pursued further investigation into possible violations of customs and anti-agricultural economic sabotage laws.
- On June 10, 2026, the Commissioner also led the inspection of 26 containers containing 72,215 bags of abandoned fresh red onions, with a manifested gross weight of approximately 650 metric tons and an estimated market value of ₱86.684 million. The shipments had unclaimed and unpaid entries, and the BOC issued an abandonment decree under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
- Most recently, on November 10, 2026, the BOC, with support from the NBI, the Department of Agriculture, and the Philippine Coast Guard, reported an enforcement operation involving agricultural and other products with an estimated total value of ₱524.27 million at a warehouse in Valenzuela City.
In a message clearly addressed to Malacañang, the group also said:
“The fight against agricultural smuggling is a continuing national responsibility that requires firm leadership, capable enforcement agencies, effective laws, transparent customs administration, and the active cooperation of the agricultural sector and the Filipino people.”
Stronger action against questionable rice importations
The Cooperative also recognized the BOC’s cooperation with the Philippine Navy in preventing the entry of questionable rice shipments into the country, citing the incident in the Port of Davao where 2 vessels loaded with 20,000MT of rice from Vietnam worth some ₱700 million, were intercepted.
The Cooperative said the apprehension is particularly important to the agricultural sector because rice remains a staple commodity and a major source of livelihood for Filipino farmers.
It added they also support the BOC’S filing last September of 15 criminal complaints involving 20 respondents at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 12022, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. The latest cases, the group noted, is on top of the 30 agriculture-related smuggling cases with 127 respondents that the bureau has filed at the DOJ since 2025.
“Agricultural smuggling cannot be effectively addressed by intercepting shipments alone,” the Cooperative said.
“It must also involve the identification and investigation of those who facilitate, finance, or participate in unlawful importation, including any public officers found to have abused their positions.”
Not going anywhere—not yet
Meanwhile, Commissioner Nepomuceno assured he is remaining as Customs Chief “to continue leading our aggressive campaign against smuggling to keep our streets safe from illegal drugs and unsafe products.”
The Customs Chief issued the statement in response to rumors that he is on the way out, noting Malacañang has not yet announced its decision regarding his continued tenure at Customs.
“We will also continue implementing our reforms and collecting the rightful duties and taxes to support government operations and projects that benefit Filipino communities,” he added.