P10 million worth of smuggled onions up for destruction

CEBU, Philippines — At least P10 million worth of smuggled onions from China abandoned at the port of Cebu are set for destruction by the Bureau of Customs.

BOC-Cebu District Collector Ciriaco Ugay ordered the destruction after these were found unfit for human consumption.

“Nangalata na siya unya ang uban gani natubu-an na og dahon,” said Ugay.

These shipments arrived in 10 containers from China in February. These were declared kimchi and egg noodles but were found to actually contain white onions.

Ugay said the consignees— Abucayan Business and Trade and FONZJR Trading—did not file an entry and instead abandon their shipments.

“Sa atubangan kay kimchi pero sobra sa katunga nga tua na sa luyo naa didto ang onions. The same also with egg noodles, naa sa atubangan pero ang onions tua gibutang sa luyo,” said Ugay.

According to Ugay, they could not auction the onions since they are already rotten while the egg noodles did not have any approval from China’s food authority that it is safe for human consumption.

A decree of abandonment was already issued against the shipments pursuant to Section 1129(a) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 17-2019.

Ugay said these will be disposed of in accordance with existing customs rules and regulations, and in close coordination with the Bureau of Plant Industry. — (FREEMAN)