BOC CONFISCATES NEARLY P13M WORTH OF FROZEN CHICKEN FROM CHINA DECLARED AS FISHBALLS

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized some P12.96-million worth of smuggled frozen chicken from China that were declared as fishballs during an operation at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The seizure was made amid the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intensify efforts against agricultural smuggling and safeguard food safety.

The seized smuggled products from China were contained in 40-foot container shipments intercepted at the MICP.

The shipments were declared to contain 5,300 cartons of fish balls but were later discovered to hold sacks of frozen chicken breasts, with an estimated total value of ₱12.96 million.

“Hindi natin alam kung ito ay ligtas. Kaya ipapa-test natin sa Bureau of Animal Industry. Kasi kung unfit ito for human consumption, bakit ipinapasok dito? Saan gagamitin ito? Siyempre pagkain ‘yan. Are we being poisoned deliberately by syndicates from China?” said Senate Committee on Agriculture chairperson Francis Pangilinan, who joined the BOC in the inspection of the seized shipments on Monday.

Pangilinan also said that due to the threat of bird flu, smuggling chicken products from China to the country may compromise the Philippines’ poultry industry. 

An examination of the seized products revealed that out of 5,300 cartons declared as fish balls, only 240 cartons actually contained the declared goods while the rest were filled with sacks of frozen chicken breasts.

BOC Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla reiterated the Bureau’s full support to the Senate’s ongoing investigations and initiatives to dismantle agricultural smuggling schemes.

“The good senator has been conducting hearings on the smuggling of agricultural products. One of the key issues being examined is the modus used by smugglers, and this interception is a clear example of what we refer to as ‘layering,’ where shipments are declared as processed food products under the Food and Drug Administration, but the majority of their contents are actually smuggled agricultural goods,” Maronilla said.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno assured that  only safe and authorized agricultural imports enter the country.

“This interception demonstrates that the safety and welfare of our people remain our top priority. I commend our teams for their diligence,” the BOC chief said.