A shipment containing imported mackerel is flagged following a spot inspection at the Manila South Harbor, as reported by the Department of Agriculture on Friday (Feb. 14, 2025). The shipment, which arrived on Jan. 21, was declared as frozen goods. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Plant Industry)
The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) announced on Friday that it intercepted a shipment of imported mackerel that was misdeclared as frozen goods.
According to a DA news release, the shipment, consigned to Straradava, arrived at Manila’s South Harbor on January 21, unloading 19 container vans.
During a spot inspection, officials discovered that one of the containers held mackerel instead of the declared frozen fried taro sticks, taro sweet potato balls, and assorted frozen food products.
Mackerel falls under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
“This serves as a clear warning to those attempting to circumvent the law—we are closely monitoring these activities. We are fully committed to enforcing the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to protect consumers, safeguard our farmers, and uphold government revenues,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban noted that while processed plant-based foods are not under the bureau’s direct oversight, its vigilant personnel at Manila’s ports flagged the shipment due to the unusually large volume of a particular frozen plant-based product.
Tiu Laurel ordered a full inspection of the remaining shipments, with details to be disclosed upon completion.