The Bureau of Customs-Port of Batangas seized vessel “MV SUNWARD”, which was loaded with 4,000 metric tons of Thailand White Refined Sugar,  on 14 January when it arrived in the Philippine contiguous zone without a Notice of Arrival as prescribed by existing customs laws, rules, and regulations.

Based on information provided by the Sugar Regulatory Administration, the cargo had no import permit. The sugar was packed in 8,000 bags.

District Collector Ma. Rhea M. Gregorio immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention in violation of Section 117 and Section 1113 (k), (f), and (l) of the CMTA in relation to the Department of Agriculture- Sugar Regulatory Administration and Bureau of Plant Industry rules and regulations, and R.A. 10845, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 and Food Safety Act of 2013.

As an ISO-Certified Port, Batangas has a system that safeguards its area of responsibility against attempts to smuggle prohibited and regulated goods into the country.

In the past several months, the Port has tightened its control measures and strengthened coordination with other government agencies, pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and BoC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz to curb agricultural smuggling.