The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized and detained 19 container vans at Manila’s South Harbor on the request of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), following a spot inspection that revealed one shipment was misdeclared.
Originally listed in the manifest as containing frozen taro sticks, the shipment was found to instead hold frozen mackerel.
BPI director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the agency initially flagged the shipments due to their unusually large volume, which included 550 metric tons of frozen taro products such as fried taro sticks, taro sweet potato balls and other assorted frozen goods.
“While these processed plant-based foods fall outside our mandate, our vigilant staff at Manila’s ports flagged the shipments due to the large volume of imports of a particular frozen product of plant origin,” said Panganiban.
Imported frozen mackerel falls under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). While BPI is responsible for overseeing plant products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates processed food imports.
The shipment consigned to Straradava arrived on Jan. 21, 2025, but the misdeclaration came to light after BPI staff at Manila’s ports conducted the routine inspection.
The Plant Quarantine Service in Manila South Harbor also indicated that other shipments, which would remain undisclosed for now, were flagged with alert orders and would undergo full inspection.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the significance of tackling smuggling in the agricultural sector.
“This is a clear message to those who think they can manipulate the system—we are watching closely. We remain committed to enforcing the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to protect consumers, safeguard our farmers, and preserve government revenues,” he said.
