MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs has seized P6 million worth of agricultural products allegedly misdeclared as cake ingredients in the Port of Davao.
The shipment from China—five containers of onions, garlic and carrots—were placed under alert by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-Davao in coordination with the Department of Agriculture.
CIIS Director Fernandino Tuason said the seizure is the CIIS’ response to the clamor of agricultural growers for a tighter watch on the entry of agricultural goods to the country as smuggled goods flooding the local markets result in unfair competition.
Meanwhile, Alvin Enciso, assistant OIC for the CIIS, said that the seizure is proof that the bureau is still doing its job despite the negative public perception.
“This just goes to show that the CIIS personnel in the country are on their toes against the shenanigans of these smugglers even if they are using all of these issues against the bureau as an opportunity to conduct their illegal trade,” he said.