President and Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the probe into the smuggling, hoarding, and price fixing of onions and other agricultural products has no deadline to follow.
Speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the Livestock Philippines Expo 2023 opening in Pasay City, he said that he is not keen on imposing deadlines.
"Sympre gusto ko na tapusin iyon pero kailangan lahat tapos, at hindi hilaw. So, let them do the investigation. Wala namang particular," Marcos added.
The President said he directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to identify all the syndicates behind the smuggling of onion and other agricultural products.
"Sa aking pananaw, at sa palagay ko ang ating mga abogado ay sasang-ayon naman sa atin, sa aking pananaw na ang kanilang [smugglers] ginagawa ay economic sabotage," Marcos said.
"Kaya ayun ang aming direksyon dito sa pag-iimbistiga nito," he added.
The Chief Executive stressed that the investigation should not be neglected as many Filipinos are suffering from starvation and poverty due to illegal smuggling.
"Tama na 'yan at pipigilan na natin ang kanilang pagsasayang na ginagawa," he added.
After Marcos gave the marching order, the justice department established an Anti- Agricultural Smuggling task force assigned to investigate and prosecute the smuggling of onion and other agricultural products.
The task force will be composed of members of the NBI and the Office of Prosecutor General (OPG).
Chief State Richard 'Dong' Fadulion and NBI Director Minardo Dilemos have been tapped to lead the investigation.
