Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), intercepted 25 metric tons of illegally imported red onions from China at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in Misamis Oriental. The shipment, consigned to Binondo-based Lantix Consumer Goods Trading, was misdeclared as containing frozen goods. An 11 June inspection, prompted by derogatory intelligence, revealed fresh red onions instead.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed no sanitary and phytosanitary import permits had been issued for such shipments, underscoring the interception as a key enforcement of the newly enacted Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. The law imposes severe penalties on agricultural smuggling, including large fines and extended imprisonment.
“This is part of our commitment to protect Filipino farmers and consumers by cracking down on smuggling,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel, emphasizing legal action will be pursued. The BOC examiner recommended seizure of the P2-million shipment, which was prevented from reaching local markets due to swift DA-BOC coordination.
