By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Tuesday that legal action is being prepared against agricultural smugglers.
This came after the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) filed a complaint against JRA and Pearl Enterprises, Inc. following their alleged illicit importation of PHP2.37 million worth of fresh yellow onions from China.
The 25 metric tons (MT) of fresh yellow onions arrived at the Manila South Harbor without Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC) in July last year.
“Similar legal actions are being prepared as we intensify our campaign against agricultural smugglers. Let this serve as a warning to those who seek to challenge our resolve,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.
In particular, the BPI filed charges against JRA and its officials for violating food safety and plant quarantine regulations.
Among the respondents were JRA president Jessica Pascua, and directors Jacob Tuballa, Perlita Tuballa, Joezel Tuballa, and Joward Tuballa.
Meanwhile, BPI National Plant Quarantine Division – Port of Manila Area Manager Henrick Exconde questioned the firm’s importation, considering the suspension of SPSICs for the commodity.
“It is important to note that during this time, the BPI had suspended issuing SPSICs for fresh yellow onion imports,” he said.
The issuance of SPSICs for fresh yellow onions was suspended from Jan. 1 to Aug. 19 in 2024, according to the BPI.
Earlier, Tiu Laurel said the DA would further intensify its agricultural smuggling crackdown in coordination with other government agencies, with the implementation of the Republic Act 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. (PNA)
