Authorities seize P34-M smuggled onions, mackerel

Metro Manila, Philippines - Authorities seized six container vans at the Port of Manila with “misdeclared goods,” which were actually smuggled onions and frozen fish from China.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the products were declared as mantou, or Chinese steamed buns, egg noodles, and kimchi. But intelligence reports indicated that the container vans, which arrived on May 27 and June 1, were smuggled agricultural products.

With the shipment tagged as supposed processed foods, the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration had to join the inspection on Tuesday, July 1.

The BOC said the red onions were valued at P10.2 million, white onions P3.8 million, and frozen mackerel P20.08 million.

The Department of Agriculture said the shipment has two listed consignees.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters that he also ordered authorities to hold off 59 container vans in Subic port that were supposed to have smuggled agricultural goods.

Tiu Laurel said these were also from China.

“Kaya magri-risk assessment tayo ng mga galing sa China. Kung kailangan lahat buksan ang container galing China gagawin natin ‘yon para siguradong walang makalusot,” Tiu Laurel said.

[Translation: We need to have a risk assessment on shipments from China. If containers need to be opened, so be it, as long as we ensure no smuggled goods will pass through.]

He also said the two consignees in the Manila port smuggling and five in the Subic port may be blacklisted. From January to June this year, the DA had blacklisted 18 companies due to agricultural smuggling.

Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla said recently discovered smuggling cases are a test of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage law.

“With an increased activity pagdating sa enforcement ng DA, mas madaling mahuli ‘tong ganitong klaseng smuggling activities,” he said.

[Translation: With an increased activity in DA’s enforcement, it will be easier to apprehend smuggling activities.]

In June, the DA found smuggled onions sold at the Paco Market in Manila, which Tiu Laurel believed was linked to those found in the Manila port.

Photo caption: Various government officials inspect container vans filled with smuggled onions and frozen mackerel in the Port of Manila on Tuesday, Jule 1. (Photo courtesy of Department of Agriculture)