By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday vowed to run after those behind the PHP202 million worth of frozen fish shipment declared as plant-based commodities from China.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made this remark after leading a spot check together with the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on two of the 19 40-footer vans containing frozen mackarels at the South Harbor, Port of Manila.
“Talagang hahabulin namin ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) at FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) itong mga perpetrators na ito (We, together with the BOC and FDA will go after these perpetrators) and will bring them to justice,” Tiu Laurel said in a media interview.
The shipment declared as plant-based commodities such as fried taro sticks, sweet potato balls, and assorted food items arrived on Jan. 1.
“Kung nakalusot ito at pumunta ito sa merkado, malamang iyong mga smugglers, hindi na nila ibababa iyong presyo (If these go through and enter the market, the smugglers probably won’t lower the price) They will try to have maximum profits for their risk. So, walang pakinabang ito sa lahat (No one will benefit from these),” Tiu Laurel said.
The official also said those behind the misdeclared shipment may be held liable under law for “outright smuggling.”
“Definitely, pasok ito sa bagong (This is within the new) Anti-Economic Sabotage Act. Because the value is more than PHP200 million. Ang PHP10 million lang na value ay non-bailable na iyon (Even the PHP10 million is already non-bailable),” Tiu Laurel said.
FDA Director-General Samuel Zacate assured that they will not tolerate “these kinds of modus operandi”.
Zacate said they are closely working with the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Customs under “an ongoing memorandum of agreement” to have a streamlined coordination.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the shipments were consigned to Straradava Household Products Co. Ltd and Fendee Consumer Goods Trading.
“Mga single proprietorship itong mga consignee na ito (The consignees of these (shipments) are single proprietors),” he said.
The processed plant-based foods are under the jurisdiction of the FDA, while imported fish and marine products are under the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (PNA)
