Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led a seizure operation, uncovering various agricultural products, in Navotas City. BUREAU OF CUSTOMS PHOTO
ALMOST P50 million worth of smuggled agricultural goods were seized by officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday, August 19.
Authorities found 325 tons of white onions, boxes of carrots and tomatoes, and jars of Chinese kimchi during a raid on a warehouse with two cold storages in Barangay Bangkulasi, Navotas City.
“First of all hindi natin alam kung safe ‘yan kainin, walang papeles, walang health certificate, hindi dumaan sa phyto sanitary inspection. Mahirap na, baka may sakit o may peste,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
The products were believed to be from China, and the consignee has been identified, but deeper investigations are being done as to the owner of the warehouse.
The importation ban on onions is still in effect because of the supply glut.
“Sa red onion, may oversupply, white onion medyo short kaya nakita natin, white onion ang pumapasok. Mino-monitor din ng mga smuggler na masho-short na ito kaya sila nagpasok nito. Makakaapekto sa presyo ‘yan at sa kabuhayan ng ating farmers,” Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters.
The local government of Navotas said the building did not have a business permit to operate.
The Bureau of Plant Industry will conduct food safety tests on the products, and if the shipments are safe, the bureau will issue proper certifications.
“Titingnan natin kung may residues ng pestisidyo, microorganism, kung safe ba ito. Talagang risky ito kung ito makakalabas. Ang ating premise ay hindi sya safe, pero pwede kami mag-certify kung safe ang sinample,” said Asec. Glenn Panganiban, director of the Bureau of Plant Industry.
A court order is needed to clear the sale of the products via local stores such as Kadiwa Centers.
Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel Jr. warned smugglers that once the new Anti-Smuggling Law takes effect, large-scale smuggling will be non-bailable and penalties for offenders will be harsher. (ABS-CBN News)
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