TAGOLOAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – In close collaboration with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Agriculture, headed by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr, through the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI), inspected a shipment of smuggled red onions on June 24, at the Mindanao International Container Terminal, this town.

According to a BPI report, the container, declared to contain only egg noodles, frozen croissant dough, dough buns, pizza dough, and spring rolls from China, was found to hold an estimated 25 metric tons of red onions, with a customs value of approximately PhP 2 million.

In his statement, DA Secretary Laurel warned the agricultural smugglers, citing Republic Act No. 12022, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act, which imposes heavier penalties, fines, and prison terms than the previous Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

“Ang warning namin sa smugglers, kasama ang [Bureau of] Customs, hindi namin kayo titigilan. We will file the appropriate cases; patong-patong na kaso ang haharapin nila.”

[We are warning the smugglers; together with the BOC, we will not stop coming after you. We will file appropriate cases; they will surely face multiple cases.]

“Clearly, may kompanyang ginamit [to smuggle the onions]. Babala din ‘to sa mga presidente ng mga kompanya, lahat sila hahabulin natin,” Secretary Laurel added. (Clearly, a company was used [to smuggle the onions]. We are also warning the presidents of these companies, we will also come after you.)

The secretary said the confiscated onions will be tested for contamination.# (CRS)