By Junex Doronio

OLONGAPO CITY – In line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to eradicate smuggling and economic sabotage, the Bureau of Customs – Port of Subic (BOC-POS) recently intercepted illegal shipments of agricultural products and cigarettes, with a combined value of approximately P136.59 million.

Deputy Collector for Assessment Andrew Malcolm S. Calixihan told Maharlika NuMedia that on Wednesday, September 11, BOC-POS District Collector Atty. Ricardo U. Morales II, CESE, along with Deputy Commissioner Juvymax R. Uy, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and other officials conducted a re-inspection of the intercepted goods.

Calixihan disclosed that on August 15, authorities intercepted five 40-foot containers declared to contain 13,250 cartons of frozen fish egg balls, valued at an estimated P21 million. However, a request for verification from the BOC’s Intelligence Group, led by Deputy Commissioner Uy, prompted the issuance of an Alert Order on August 22.

Upon physical examination on August 28, Customs officials discovered that the containers actually held fresh carrots and yellow onions instead of the declared frozen fish egg balls. Additionally, the shipment lacked essential documentation, including a Certificate of Product Registration from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certificate, and a proper declaration of the actual contents. These discrepancies violated several regulations, including Department of Health (DOH) FDA Administrative Order No. 2020-0017, Department of Agriculture Circular No. 4, Series of 2016, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), specifically Sections 1400 and 1113(f).

Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSD) were promptly issued for the shipment, with forfeiture proceedings now underway.

Customs Operations Officer V Jose Rommel “JR” A. Abac also revealed that on September 6, two 40-foot containers containing 1,986 master cases of cigarettes from Taiwan, valued at approximately P115.5 million, were discovered. The shipment had been falsely declared as “Packages Tissue” (household items), in violation of the National Tobacco Administration’s Circular No. 03 Series of 2004 and Bureau of Internal Revenue Circular No. 79-2022, both of which relate to Section 1113(f) of the CMTA.

“We are determined to prevent misdeclared and smuggled goods from entering the country. Our stringent inspection protocols ensure compliance with the law, and we will take the necessary action against violators,” Morales said.

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