Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday flagged around PHP9 million worth of smuggled sugar at the Port of Manila. The operation was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to intensify efforts against agricultural smuggling as it poses a threat to local farmers' income and public health safety. In particular, the agencies seized 2,000 50-kilogram bags of sugar, equivalent to 100,000 kilograms or 100 metric tons (MT) in volume, found inside four container vans. These include 50 tons of unauthorized imported sugar from Thailand, and another 50 tons of refined sugar misdeclared as 'sweet mixed powder' from Vietnam.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. warned smugglers anew amid close collaboration for a continuous agri-smuggling crackdown. 'Maganda ngayon iyong cooperation ng (There's a good cooperation between the) DA, BOC, and other government agencies like PNP,' he said. 'I'm sure matatakot na talaga iyong mga smugglers na iyan (the smugglers will be afraid), especially with the law of anti-agricultural smuggling.'
The seized sugar, meanwhile, will undergo another test after initial results turned out to be positive for bacteria. 'Iyong artificial sweetener na dalawa (The two artificial sweeteners), this is quite alarming. There are traces of bacteria seen. So that is considered now not fit for human consumption. But I told them to retest just to be sure,' Tiu Laurel said. The confiscated sugar may be considered for distribution if it is tested safe for consumption.
SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona reported that the initial results showed the presence of mesophilic bacteria. 'Mesophilic Bacteria result is 3775, (the) safe standard is no more than 200 CFU (colony forming unit) per 10 grams,' he told reporters in a Viber message. Some mesophilic bacteria, which thrive in moderate temperatures, include E. coli, salmonella, and lactobacillus.
Besides smuggled sugar, the BOC also presented PHP81.065 million worth of smuggled cigarettes. BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the shipment was misdeclared as 'fabrics,' containing a total of 1,046 boxes or 52,300 reams.
The agri and customs officials, likewise, assured that legal actions would be taken against the consignees of illicit products. Tiu Laurel said the two consignees of the said unauthorized and misdeclared sugar imports will face immediate action. 'I just gave instructions just now. Pagkabukas na doon to SRA, iyong dalawang consignee noon registered sila sa SRA actually. Pinaba-blacklist ko na (When the SRA opened it, the two consignees they are actually registered with SRA. I ordered them blacklisted),' he said. To date, there are three blacklisted sugar importers and almost 20 traders in other agricultural commodities. Rubio, meanwhile, said the involved consignees may be held liable for the alleged violation of the Anti-Economic Sabotage Law.
