Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led an inspection on Monday of one-and-a-half dozen container vans suspected of being loaded with tons of frozen fish, but was declared by importers as processed plant-based commodities.
A spot check conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on two of the 19 40-foot container vans revealed boxes of frozen mackerels—locally known as alumahan—and frozen round scad-locally known as galunggong-rather than the frozen fried taro sticks, sweet potato balls, and assorted food products from China, as declared in the shipping manifest. The assessed value of the 19×40 shipment as per BOC is P202,000,000.00.
BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban explained that his agency had previously alerted the BOC about the shipments, which were declared to contain 550 metric tons of frozen fried taro sticks, sweet potato balls, and various frozen food items.
“The cargo actually contained mackerel, not taro products as claimed, in clear violation of importation regulations.”
However, the spot check on two container vans consigned to Straradava Household Products Co. Ltd. uncovered that the cargo actually contained mackerel, not taro products as claimed, in clear violation of importation regulations.
The shipment arrived in Manila’s South Harbor on January 21, and some of the 17 other suspected, yet-to-be-inspected container vans were consigned to Fendee Consumer Goods Trading, a company sharing the same Binondo address as Straradava.
While processed plant-based foods fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the Department of Health, imported fish and marine products are regulated by the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Tiu Laurel praised the vigilance of BPI staff stationed at Manila’s ports, noting their attention to detail and their role in uncovering this significant violation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act—a law imposing stricter penalties for smugglers and other offenders.
“These dedicated BPI personnel should be emulated.”
“These dedicated BPI personnel should be emulated,” the agriculture chief. “Their diligence led to the discovery of this clear violation.”
The agriculture head also issued a warning to unscrupulous business people, stating that the DA and its bureaus are closely monitoring such activities.
“Talagang hahabulin namin ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) at FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) itong mga perpetrators na ito and will bring them to justice,” he stressed.
Additionally, Tiu Laurel has informed FDA Director General Dr. Samuel Zacate of the smuggling case to ensure inter-agency coordination.
Present during the inspection were BOC officials led by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, FDA Director General Dr. Samuel Zacate, Atty. Nathaniel Liberato, BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, Assistant Director for Regulatory Services Ruel Gesmundo, NPQSD Chief Joan May Tolentino, PQS South Harbor OIC-Area Manager Henrick Exconde and BFAR Director Elizer Salilig.
