Combined government operatives seized agricultural and fishery products worth more than P202 million in January in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard the welfare of Filipino farmers and fishers and make locally grown agricultural produce more competitive.
Malacanang said a total of P202.5 million worth of agri-fishery products contained in 24 container vans consigned to Asterzenmed Inc. and Seaster Consumer Goods Trading Inc. were
seized in separate operations at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
Of the 24 vans apprehended, nine belonged to Seaster Consumer Goods, which were found to contain fresh red and white onions with a total estimated market value of P77.8 million.
Subsequent operations revealed multi-million smuggled agri-produce by consignee Asterzenmed Inc.
On January 23, three containers carrying fresh yellow onions, red onions, potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes with an estimated market value of P24.4 million were seized. This was followed by the confiscation of three containers loaded with red onions, imitation crab sticks, and frozen boneless beef, with a total estimated market value of P31 million.
Another inspection of three Asterzenmed Inc. containers resulted in the confiscation of P24 million worth of red onions and assorted meat products, while P21.5 million worth of smuggled
assorted meat products were confiscated from the inspection of three other container vans.
The latest reported operation on January 27 led to the discovery of two container vans containing potatoes and fresh yellow onions with an estimated value of P23.6 million.
The misdeclared and misclassifed goods in January totalling P202.5 million were seized through the combined efforts of the DA Inspectorate and Enforcement, together with partner agencies including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
It was also revealed that the goods, which originated from Hong Kong, China, have no Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance.
