Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted two 40-foot container shipments at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) found to contain misdeclared frozen chicken breasts from China. The shipments were declared to contain 5,300 cartons of fish balls but were later discovered to hold sacks of frozen chicken breasts valued at PHP12.96 million.
According to Philippines News Agency, following derogatory information received by the BOC, Pre-Lodgement Control Orders (PLCO) were issued on Aug. 29 for possible violations of Section 117 (Regulated Importation and Exportation) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). A joint examination conducted on Sept. 29 revealed that out of 5,300 cartons declared as fish balls, only 240 cartons actually contained the declared goods, while the rest were filled with sacks of frozen chicken breasts.
On Oct. 9, MICP District Collector Rizalino Jose Torralba issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against both containers for violations of Sections 117 and 1400, in relation to Section 1113 of the CMTA. On Monday, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla and Torralba led the inspection of the said shipment.
In a news release, Pangilinan underscored the seriousness of ongoing efforts against agricultural smuggling. 'I believe this is the first time in the history of the Bureau of Customs that a Deputy Collector was cited in contempt and detained in the Senate. That in itself shows how serious we are, and how serious the BOC is in addressing smuggling. Since the start of the Senate hearings on agricultural smuggling, we have been working closely with the BOC, and they have consistently provided us with the necessary documents and information,' he said.
Meanwhile, Maronilla reiterated the BOC's full support to the Senate's ongoing investigations and initiatives to dismantle agricultural smuggling schemes. 'One of the key issues being examined is the modus used by smugglers, and this interception is a clear example of what we refer to as 'layering,' where shipments are declared as processed food products under the Food and Drug Administration, but the majority of their contents are actually smuggled agricultural goods. This is consistent with the schemes being exposed in the Senate hearings,' he said.
Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the BOC is committed to ensuring that only safe and authorized agricultural imports enter the country's markets. 'With the Senate's support, we continue to strengthen our enforcement efforts. This interception demonstrates that the safety and welfare of our people remain our top priority. I commend our teams for their diligence,' Nepomuceno added.
