MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to pursue those responsible for a P202 million shipment of frozen fish that was misdeclared as plant-based products from China.
This follows an inspection led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. at the South Harbor in Manila on Monday (03 Mar 2025).
Laurel, joined by the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and Bureau of Customs (BOC), checked two out of 19 containers holding frozen mackerel, which had been falsely declared as processed plant-based goods like fried taro sticks and sweet potato balls.
“We, along with the BOC and the FDA, will track down these perpetrators and bring them to justice,” said Laurel.
The shipment, which arrived on January 1, posed a serious risk to the market. If it had entered circulation, it could have allowed smugglers to profit by selling the goods at high prices, negatively affecting the market.
Laurel emphasized that those behind the misdeclaration could face charges under the new Anti-Economic Sabotage Act, as the shipment’s value exceeds P200 million, making it subject to severe penalties, including non-bailable charges.
FDA Director-General Samuel Zacate reiterated that the FDA would not tolerate such activities, assuring ongoing coordination with the DA and BOC under a formal agreement. BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio confirmed the shipments were consigned to Straradava Household Products Co. Ltd. and Fendee Consumer Goods Trading, both single proprietorships.
Under the law, the FDA handles plant-based food products, while the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regulates imported fish and marine products.
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