PRESS RELEASE
September 28, 2026
”Wala kaming sasantuhin!” Ombudsman vows to go after smugglers, government accomplices to protect farmers, fisherfolk
MANILA, Philippines—The Office of the Ombudsman lauded the signing of a tripartite agreement among agencies as part of the government’s fight against smuggling.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla attended the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) held at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila, morning of September 28.
The agreement was signed by Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida for the DOJ, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno for the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Director Melvin Matibag for National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The MOA is meant to combat agricultural economic sabotage.
The Ombudsman served as a witness to the agreement, which was initiated in 2024, during his tenure at the DOJ.
The agreement is meant to strengthen the coordination among the said agencies in terms of intelligence sharing, case build-up, criminal investigation support, referral, evidence evaluation, preliminary investigation, prosecution, and prosecution support involving suspected smuggling of agricultural and fishery products.
“We cannot have one agency holding one piece of information, another agency holding another, and expect government to see the entire picture,” said Ombudsman Remulla. “We have to connect the dots. We have to share information. And we have to build cases that will stand in court. Mabigat na krimen ang Agricultural Economic Sabotage,” he added.
As part of its mandate, the Ombudsman may make recommendations to improve processes to eliminate red tape and ensure government efficiency.
“Sa bawat produktong pang-agrikulturang pinupuslit papasok sa bansa, nababalewala at nasasayang ang pagod at sakripisyo ng bawat magsasaka at mangingisda na marangal na kumakayod araw-araw para sa kanilang mga pamilya,” said the Ombudsman. “Food security is national security,” he further added.
In his speech, he emphasized that the agency will continue to run after government officials who might be complicit to smuggling.
“Nangyayari ang smuggling dahil may mga tiwaling pumapayag na mangyari ito,” said Ombudsman Remulla. “Wherever there is evidence that a public official has abused the position to enable, protect or profit from agricultural economic sabotage, the Office of the Ombudsman will not look the other way.
“There can be no sacred cows. Wala kaming sasantuhin dito. Ang laban sa agricultural economic sabotage ay laban rin sa korapsyon. And we will continue to ensure that those who abuse public office are held to account,” he warned. #
