P202-M smuggled mackerel intercepted

Despite stricter laws against agricultural smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday unveiled P202 million worth of smuggled mackerel inside 19 forty-foot containers at the Port of Manila.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar inspected the contraband and presented it to the media.

According to the BoC, the containers from China were placed on hold on 20 January 2025, after authorities received a request for intrusive and non-intrusive examinations from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, following a request from the Plant Quarantine Service-Bureau of Plant Industry due to pending compliance with PQS requirements.

On 13 February, an alert order was issued by the Office of the District Collector to prompt further investigation.

The BoC stated that after a physical examination witnessed by concerned parties on 18 and 19 February, Alviar ordered the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention for violations of Section 1113 in relation to Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

With the interception, the BoC reiterated its commitment to preventing the illegal entry of agricultural products, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the fight against agricultural smuggling and protect food security.

To recall, the President previously emphasized the need for stronger enforcement to dismantle smuggling networks.

Laurel, on the other hand, praised the vigilance of BPI staff at Manila’s ports, noting their role in uncovering the violation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which imposes stricter penalties for smugglers.

“These dedicated BPI personnel should be emulated,” the DA chief said. “Their diligence led to the discovery of this clear violation.”

In other developments, AGAP Partylist Representative Nicanor Briones said he would request the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the entry of the contraband.

Briones has questioned the BoC’s use of the CMTA instead of Republic Act 12022, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which classifies agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage.

Signed into law in September 2024, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage (AGES) Act treats smuggling of agricultural goods exceeding 10 million pesos as economic sabotage.

“We have to make sure if the entry of the said goods came after the law was signed last September. Because that is the excuse used by those apprehended. So, we will write to the NBI, being the top enforcement agency of the AGES Act enforcement group, to investigate the matter,” Briones said.

He said the enforcement group, including the NBI, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard, has been activated by Marcos with guidance from the DA, Department of Trade and Industry and other agencies.