MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said he will formally request the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to turn over two container vans of smuggled frozen mackerel intercepted at the Port of Manila after laboratory results confirmed the fish are safe for human consumption.

Laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA), found that all samples from the seized shipment passed microbiological safety standards based on Philippine and international food regulations. BFAR said the presence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and aerobic plate counts were all within acceptable limits.

“Hence, the samples, as received, are safe for consumption based on the parameters tested,” the agency said.

The two container vans, currently held at the Port of Manila, contain an estimated 50 metric tons of frozen mackerel valued between P13 million and P20 million—enough to supply 1 kilo of fish to 50,000 families. The shipment was among six containers flagged by the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Service (IES) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). Three other containers carried 74 metric tons of red onions, while another van contained yellow onions.

The BPI is still awaiting test results to determine whether the seized onions contain unsafe levels of bacteria, heavy metals, or pesticides.

Additional tests are ongoing for container vans of frozen mackerel, onions, and carrots intercepted at the Port of Subic.

Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has consistently highlighted the importance of protecting public health and stopping smuggling.

“We remain committed to safeguarding our food supply, protecting our farmers and fisherfolk, and ensuring public health,” he said. “Rather than let safe food go to waste, we will put it on Filipino tables—just as this administration has done before.”

Last December, President Marcos led the donation of 21 containers of smuggled frozen mackerel worth P178.5 million, which entered the country without sanitary and phytosanitary permits.