By Stephanie Sevillano

FALSE DECLARATION. A shipment containing imported mackerel is flagged following a spot inspection at the Manila South Harbor, as reported by the Department of Agriculture on Friday (Feb. 14, 2025). The shipment, which arrived on Jan. 21, was declared as frozen goods. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Plant Industry)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) on Friday reported the interception of a shipment of imported mackerel misdeclared as frozen goods.

The shipment, which was consigned to Straradava, unloaded 19 container vans at Manila’s South Harbor on Jan. 21, according to a news release from the DA.

During spot inspection, one of the vans was found to be containing mackerel, instead of frozen fried taro sticks, taro sweet potato balls and assorted frozen food products.

Mackerel is a commodity under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

“This is a clear message to those who think they can get away with trifling with the law, we are watching you closely. We are fully committed to enforcing the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to protect consumers, safeguard our farmers, and preserve government revenues,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.

BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, said while the processed plant-based foods fall outside their mandate, the bureau’s vigilant staff at Manila’s ports flagged the shipments “due to the large volume of imports of a particular frozen product of plant origin.”

The other shipments, meanwhile, will be divulged after a full inspection, according to Tiu Laurel’s order. (PNA)