PASG ties up with FFCCCII to curb smuggling

MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to further curb smuggling, the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) has partnered with the private sector group Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII).

PASG chief Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr. said the support of the Filipino Chinese businessmen is a welcome development because they are present in vital Philippine industries, from retail to manufacturing.

He said the partnership added more teeth to the campaign against smugglers.

Villar and FFCCCII president Alfonso Uy recently forged a memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing the business chamber to field its representatives to the anti-smuggling task force.

“We now have another strong partner that will help in monitoring suspected smuggling activities and going after smugglers, who are the real economic saboteurs in the country,” Villar said.

FFCCCII will now join the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and several other groups in the growing coalition against smugglers.

FPI president Jesus L. Arranza, a senior adviser of PASG, said the combined network of FPI and FFCCCII in the private sector side will definitely make life more difficult for the smugglers.

Also, Arranza said the signing of the MOA effectively erased the attempts of smugglers to prevent the PASG and FFCCCII from joining forces because they fear that it would have a huge impact on their illegal operations.

During the signing of the MOA, Villar also announced that as a matter of policy, PASG men should not go to the stores of retailers suspected of selling smuggled items.

“Our primary targets are the big boys, the illegal importers and the smugglers. This will also prevent impostors or bad eggs from using the name of the agency to extort money from businessmen,” he said.

Villar added that as part of the rules of engagement for PASG, operatives should only present original mission orders that were signed by him.

For example, he said PASG men should not stop the operations of the businesses that they will be raiding because these companies have commitments to buyers and clients that they need to fulfill.