MANILA – The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform cited more individuals in contempt during its public hearing on the multi-million-peso agricultural smuggling issue.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan ordered the detention of three individuals allegedly linked to the illegal entry of smuggled frozen mackerel in the country after they failed to adequately respond to the Committee’s questions.

Those cited in contempt and set to be detained at the Senate facility are Erwin Pascual of EPCB Consumer Goods Trading, Bureau of Customs (BOC)–Port of Subic Deputy Collector for Assessment Andrew Malcolm Calixihan, and BOC–Port of Subic Acting Customs Operations Officer Mary Anabelle Gubaton.

Pangilinan pointed out inconsistencies in Gubaton’s statements regarding the release of misdeclared agricultural shipments from the Port of Subic despite the absence of required documentation. He also questioned her claim of not knowing a certain “Mr. Chuggs,” who was reportedly the dispatcher instructing three truck drivers to transport the smuggled mackerel out of the port.

Similarly, Calixihan denied knowing “Mr. Chuggs,” prompting Pangilinan to say the official misled the Committee due to inconsistencies in his testimony.

“There is a difference between not being able to explain it and saying, giving us testimony that is untruthful, and therefore, we will move to cite you in contempt of this Committee, Mr. Calixihan. Your explanation is unacceptable and does not satisfy this Committee,” Pangilinan said.

Pascual was also cited in contempt after the Senator found contradictions in his testimony, including his claim of not knowing broker Ellaine Joy Gedaria, whom he had identified in his affidavit as the declarant for 14 containers. He also initially listed his nephew as the owner of EPCB but later admitted that he himself owned the company.

Earlier in the hearing, Pangilinan granted temporary liberty to Brenda de Sagun of Berches Consumer Goods Trading and directed the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to accompany her in locating a certain “Mr. Vicente.”