Inspection of the Confiscated Frozen Mackerels 12/14/2024

Tondo, City of Manila
December 14, 2024

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspects an estimated PhP178.5 million worth of confiscated frozen mackerel imported from China at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) in Tondo, City of Manila on December 14, 2024.

According to Bureau of Customs – Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (BOC-CIIS) Director Verne Enciso, a seized shipment of 21 container vans loaded with frozen pelagic fish arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) in October and remained unclaimed by the consignee. It has been reported that the shipment lacked the necessary Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) - Fisheries Certification Section confirmed that the shipment's importer had not submitted an application for mackerel from August 30 to September 16, 2024.

Following the confiscation, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. instructed BFAR to perform laboratory tests to assess the frozen mackerel’s safety for human consumption, as it is intended to be distributed to communities affected by the recent typhoons.

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