Following the directive of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, the Department of Justice (DOJ) established a task force assigned to investigate and prosecute the smuggling of onion and other agricultural products.
"To address this issue, the Department will collaborate closely with other government agencies, including the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture, among others," the DOJ said.
"Together with these agencies, the Department will create an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force along with a Special Team of Prosecutors primarily focused on protecting the entire agricultural sector, not only the Onion Industry,” it added.
According to DOJ, members of the Office of Prosecutor General (OPG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are included on the task force which are both under the justice department.
"The shared objective is clear: to dismantle these smuggling networks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice," it said.
The order comes after the House Committee on Agriculture and Food discovered the existence of an onion cartel.
The justice department assured that they are diligently conducting its case build up against individuals and organizations involved in the smuggling.
The investigation will be led by Chief State Richard “Dong” Fadulion and NBI Director Minardo Dilemos.
