By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Agriculture (D.A.) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized P100 million worth of smuggled agricultural products at the Subic port in Zambales on Tuesday.
This came after the DA ordered the suspension of the release of 59 40-feet shipments from China at the Subic Bay New Container Terminal amid the intensified efforts to curb agricultural smuggling.
Of the total flagged, 52 shipments were verified wherein 21 containers were cleared for release while the remaining 31 flunked the examination, according to the BOC.
“Nabawasan na iyong 59, 21 ay walang problema. There are still 31 containers under customs custody at lumalabas na they failed the examination,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in an interview.
At least 10 out of the 31 illicit shipments contained smuggled frozen fish, carrots, and onions, which were misdeclared as chicken lollipops and chicken karaage without any import permit.
BOC Collector Noel Estanislao, meanwhile, said the estimated market value of all 31 shipments may reach at least P300 million.
All shipments, meanwhile, will be subject to testing to ensure safety for human consumption.
In case it tested negative for heavy metals and other biological hazards, Tiu Laurel said they would ask the President to allow its distribution to poor Filipino families.
On July 1, the DA seized P34.2 million worth of smuggled agricultural products from China at the Port of Manila, which contained illegally imported red and white onions, as well as frozen fish.
The products are still undergoing testing from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
National security concern
Tiu Laurel, meanwhile, stressed that agricultural smuggling may be considered a national security concern as it affects the country’s economy and public health.
Earlier, the D.A. said confiscated “illegally imported” red onions at the Paco market tested positive for E.coli.
“This is already a national security matter… Definitely, this disrupts the trade. It destroys the lives of our farmers and fisherfolk,” Tiu Laurel said.
“It really affects the economy. It promotes corruption at many levels.”
He assured the close coordination among the BOC, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to address the matter.
D.A. to file raps vs. up to 100 suspects for agri-smuggling
In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the inspection of the seized agricultural products, Laurel bared that as many as 100 individuals linked to 20 companies may face charges for alleged involvement in agricultural smuggling in the country.
“Sabihin nating iyan ang suspects natin, 100 suspects at least,” the D.A. chief said, reiterating his desire to have someone jailed at least by the end of the year.
Laurel made the remark as blacklisted companies rose to 20 from 18, adding two consignees from the recent operation.
“Ang pinaka-culpable diyan is the president of each of those companies. Kung 20 iyan, at least 20,” Tiu Laurel said.
The possible charges include violations of provisions of the Food Safety Act of 2013, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
Asked if the D.A. will consider a government-to-government collaboration with China, where most of the smuggled products originated, Laurel said this may be initiated.
“That’s a good idea, I’ll probably write to the Chinese ambassador,” he said. “We really have to look out for shipments coming from China, especially from the port of Xiamen.”
Besides the recently flagged shipments at the Subic port, other smuggled products previously confiscated at the Port of Manila and Paco public market were also reported to be sourced from China.
