The Department of Agriculture (DA) has sounded the alarm over potential public health risks after it intercepted six container vans of misdeclared agricultural goods – including tons of onions and frozen fish – in what could become the first test case of the newly signed Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

Declared as egg noodles, spring rolls, and dumplings, the shipments were found to contain about 74 metric tons of red onions valued at P10.3 million, yellow onions worth P3.82 million, and frozen mackerel estimated between P13 million and P20 million.

“We intend to use the full force of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act against these companies, including those who may have hired them to ship these onions and fish. We will pursue all legal remedies to bring these illicit traders to justice,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

Two container vans were consigned to Latinx Consumer Goods Trading, while the other four – including those carrying the mackerel and yellow onions – were under Lexxa Consumer Goods Trading.

The seizure highlights the DA’s intensified campaign to secure local markets and food systems from biosecurity threats. Microbiological tests conducted on previously seized onions from the Paco Public Market revealed E. coli contamination, while other confiscated vegetables tested positive for heavy metals.

Violators of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law face severe penalties, including life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the smuggled goods. The law categorizes as economic sabotage any smuggling or hoarding of agricultural products exceeding P10 million in value.

DA Undersecretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement Carlos Carag said the increase in smuggling seizures reflects “growing vigilance and stronger inter-agency coordination” with the Bureau of Customs.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban warned that misdeclared food imports “endanger both food safety and national biosecurity.”