MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated over P34 million worth of misdeclared agricultural products at the Port of Manila as part of the government’s intensified crackdown on agricultural smuggling.

The shipments, which arrived from China on May 27 and June 1, 2025, were declared as food items like mantou, egg noodles, and kimchi. But a physical inspection conducted on June 10 revealed the containers actually held red onions, white onions, and frozen mackerel.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) estimated the smuggled items’ market value at ₱10.2 million for red onions, ₱3.8 million for white onions, and ₱20.08 million for frozen mackerel, bringing the total to ₱34.2 million.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued on June 23 for violations of Section 117 in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which penalizes misdeclaration and lack of proper import permits.

Customs and agriculture officials, including BOC Assistant Commissioner Atty. Vincent Philip Maronilla, Deputy Commissioner Michael Fermin, Port of Manila District Collector Alexander Alviar, and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., inspected the seized goods on July 1.

“This operation reflects our strong commitment to protecting the local industry and ensuring that our port remains a frontline defense against agricultural smuggling,” Alviar said.