By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Subic, has destroyed five containers of smuggled agricultural products through proper dumping.
In a statement on Thursday, the BOC said the shipments contained assorted frozen meat, fish, preserved fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items that were condemned in a facility in Subic, Zambales on Aug. 15.
The products were forfeited in favor of the government for lack of a phytosanitary certificate, in violation of a Department of Agriculture administrative order and a department circular in relation to Section 1113(f) of Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
“By condemning these illegal imports, the bureau reaffirms its commitment to protecting the health and safety of Filipino citizens. Smuggled agricultural products pose serious risks, and we will continue to act decisively against these threats,” BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.
As mandated under Customs Memorandum Order 24-2021, the condemnation ensures that agricultural goods deemed hazardous or unfit for human consumption are properly disposed of.
“This measure safeguards the consumer from health risks posed by unsafe, unregulated, and illegally imported food products,” the media release added.
District Collector Noel Estanislao noted that the move shows the government’s strong warning to smugglers –that public health and safety will never be compromised.
“The BOC will continue to rigorously enforce customs laws, ensuring a safer and more secure marketplace while deterring illegal trade that endangers the health of our citizens,” he said. (PNA)
