Manila: Senator Francis Pangilinan has issued a warning to the public concerning the potential entry of smuggled and uninspected food products into the local food supply chain through restaurants. This alert follows revelations made during a Senate hearing involving suspected Chinese smuggler Shi Chaoqun.

According to Philippines News Agency, Shi Chaoqun, who is the lessee of a warehouse where PHP100 million worth of smuggled frozen meat products were discovered, admitted to supplying these products to several now-closed restaurants in Pasay City. Concerns have been raised about the possible contamination of these smuggled food products entering local marketplaces.

Pangilinan expressed his dismay during a radio interview, highlighting the gravity of the situation. He noted that the Department of Agriculture confirmed the confiscated products were not fit for human consumption, supporting Shi's admission that the products were sold to restaurants in Pasay City.

Shi has been cited in contempt and detained by the Senate for allegedly providing false testimony before the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, which is chaired by Pangilinan. The senator emphasized the impact of smuggled agricultural products on local food production industries, noting that these products are sold at significantly lower prices.

Pangilinan explained that the low cost is due to these meat products being purchased cheaply in China as they are meant for disposal. These products are then brought to the Philippines and treated with formalin, a practice that raises serious health concerns.

In response to agricultural smuggling and its economic impact, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. enacted the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act in September of the previous year. This legislation classifies activities such as smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations of agricultural products as forms of economic sabotage.