DA, BPI intercept 25 tons of smuggled red onions from China

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), intercepted 25 metric tons of illegally imported red onions from China at an unspecified port in Mindanao.

Declared as containing frozen goods such as egg noodles, croissant dough, pizza dough, buns, and spring rolls, a physical examination on May 26 revealed that the shipment actually contained fresh red onions not listed on the ship's manifest.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. thanked the BOC for their swift action in preventing the smuggled onions from entering local markets during his visit to a Manila public market where suspected illegally imported red onions were found.

With an estimated customs value of around PHP2 million, legal action will be pursued under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to impose stricter penalties on agricultural smuggling and expand enforcement with the Philippine National Police.

The DA emphasized its commitment to enforcing regulations and protecting domestic agriculture from illegal imports by vowing intensified collaboration with law enforcement agencies.