BILL TO CLASSIFY SMUGGLING AS ECONOMIC SABOTAGE FILED

Three congressmen filed yesterday an anti-smuggling bill that classifies
smuggling of any product by any person as economic sabotage.

Representatives Willie Buyson Villarama (Aksyon Demokratiko, Bulacan),
Prospero Nograles (Lakas, Davao City) and Prospero Pichay Jr. (Lakas,
Surigao del Sur) filed Bill 5005 apparently in response to President
Arroyo's State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In her SONA, the President had declared war on smugglers, describing them
as enemies of the state.

Under Bill 5005, smugglers face the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine
of P100,000.

At the Department of Transportation and Communications, Secretary Leandro
Mendoza said he wants smuggling to be classified as a capital offense,
along with rape and drug trafficking.

In asking Congress to make smuggling a non-bailable offense, Mendoza said
the illegal activity is threatening the country's economic stability.

"I will build upon successes already chalked up in the war against
smuggling. The Department of Transportation and Communications will utilize
its resources to win the fight against smugglers," he said.

In filing the measure, the three congressmen said smuggling "has gone from
bad to worse."

Smuggling must now be considered as a form of economic sabotage because of
its effects on the economy, they said.

They added that these "enemies of the State" as described by Mrs. Arroyo
have been illegally bringing in a wide variety of consumer products, from
non-essentials like luxury vehicles to the most basic staple a " rice.

They stressed that smuggling does not only deprive the government of vital
revenues but also kills local industries.

Also in response to the President's SONA, the House committee on justice
chaired by Rep. Marcelino Libanan (NPC, Eastern Samar) is set to report out
the Anti-Terrorism Bill.

The bill defines terrorism as the "premeditated use or threatened use of
violence as a means of destruction against civilians or non-combatants, or
against civilian and government properties, to instill a state of common
danger, panic or fear intended to influence an audience, regardless of
motivations."

It proposes to relax the Bank Secrecy Law so that the authorities can
easily inquire into the deposits of suspected terrorists.

Rep. Imee Marcos (KBL, Ilocos Norte) is the principal author of the measure.

Meanwhile, Mendoza said smuggling could be deterred once Congress passes a
law reclassifying it as a heinous crime for which convicted smugglers would
be imposed the capital punishment.

Mendoza has ordered the Coast Guard to keep a close watch on private piers
nationwide after receiving reports that they are being used to sneak in
imported goods.

He also tapped the help of barangay officials in monitoring the country's
coastal communities as part of the DOTCa TMs "Bantay Dagat" program.

In the past, coastal barangays have served as drop-off points not only for
smuggled goods but for illegal aliens, mostly from China and India.

Upon assuming office last July 4, Mendoza received instructions from Mrs.
Arroyo to coordinate with the Bureau of Customs to curb smuggling in the
country.

Recently, the DOTC and the customs bureau set up a joint anti-smuggling
task force.

Meanwhile, Mendoza said the transportation and communications industry
supports the call of Mrs. Arroyo for a "strong republic" to be set up.

"The President's call to strictly attend to business of good governance is
most appropriate if we have to meet the challenges of a world operating
under new rules for economic activities and political reforms," he said.

"I feel a new sense of mission based on the President's call, I will build
upon successes already chalked up in the war against smuggling and against
criminality, of which I had my singular contributions until a month or so ago."