MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed concern over the possible entry of smuggled, uninspected food products into the local food supply chain through restaurants.

The issue came to light after alleged Chinese smuggler Chaoqun Shi, lessee of a warehouse found with P100 million worth of smuggled frozen meat, admitted during a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday that he used to supply some restaurants in Pasay City. Shi said these restaurants have since closed.

“Nakakalungkot dahil ito ay pagkain. Inamin nung isang Chinese suspected smuggler na nakakulong ngayon binebenta nya yung mga produkto nya sa mga restaurants diyan daw sa area ng Pasay at yung mga nakumpiskang produkto nila is sinabi ng DA (Department of Agriculture) unfit for human consumption,” Pangilinan said in an interview on DZBB.

Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, led the questioning of Shi during the hearing on smuggling of agricultural products. He warned that smuggled food products could also be entering local marketplaces.

“So, pati sa mga palengke hindi na ako magtataka kung may mga nakakalusot nitong mga produktong ito kung meron salmonella, meron e. coli,” the senator said.

He added that local food production industries are affected by these imports, which are sold at lower prices.

“Ang dahilan kung bakit mura dahil yung binibili nila doon sa China eh patapon na dapat. Bibilhin nila ng mura dahil patapon na—ang tawag doon salvage value—dadalhin dito, ilulublob sa formalin,” Pangilinan said.