The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will closely monitor all shipments coming from China in the wake of the recent seizure of more than P100-million worth of smuggled agricultural products and frozen fish.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said most of the shipments containing smuggled agricultural products are coming from one common source.
“China again, as usual, we really have to look out for Chinese shipments, especially from the Port of Xiamen,” Tiu Laurel said during the inspection of the seized smuggled goods.
“This is already a national security matter, so we talked and said we have to pursue cases against those proven to be involved in smuggling, and hopefully by the end of the year, we shall see a lot of people behind bars,” he added.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) chief added that smuggled goods disrupt the trade, destroy the lives of farmers and fisherfolk, and affect the economy.
Meanwhile, Port of Subic Collector Noel Estanislao said that the BOC seeks to ensure that all imports comply with regulations and to prevent any illegal goods from entering the country.
Customs intercepted 31 containers of smuggled onions, carrots, and frozen fish at the Port of Subic. The Port of Subic has yet to inspect the remaining containers, but Estanislao said they are likely to contain the same products.
