This time, chickens didn’t get away

BATANGAS CITY — Customs authorities seized five refrigerated vans containing chicken quarter legs and dried potatoes used in making french fries at the Port of Batangas last Monday.

Dr. Ben Bagui, Port of Batangas veterinary quarantine officer, said the shipment from the United States did not have the quarantine permits from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

However, DA officials in Manila said the cargo is covered by the necessary quarantine certificate.

Bagui said if the shipment has the necessary documents, why has the consignee not presented these to Customs and quarantine authorities in Batangas.

"Puro sila verbal, bakit hindi nila maipakita ang dokumento ng quarantine?" he said.

Bagui said he became suspicious after the consignee, ELT Enterprises, failed to report to the Batangas port and present the necessary documents.

"It’s been three days now but the consignee hasn’t showed up here despite the summons we sent to them," he said.

Napoleon Morales, Batangas district Customs collector, said the shipment is worth around P12.5 million, including Customs duties and taxes.

It arrived at the Port of Batangas on Monday aboard the M/V Confidence without import documents and the required veterinary quarantine certificate, he added.

Bagui, along with Port of Batangas Customs officials, temporarily sealed off the five container vans after issuing an alert order last Monday.

Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo said in a radio interview the shipment will remain in the custody of the Port of Batangas until the consignee can present the necessary documents within 30 days as mandated by law.

"With the new installation of the new district collector in Batangas and the relief of some Batangas port personnel, I can assure that the previous case of illegal importation of the 19-van shipment won’t happen again," he said.