P23 million frozen meat seized at Manila port

MANILA, Philippines — Frozen meat products imported from China amounting to P23.27 million were confiscated yesterday by the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Customs.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the inspection of five 40-footer shipping containers containing squid balls, fish tofu and fish roe balls at the Port of Manila.

Upon examination, Nepomuceno said the containers yielded frozen agricultural products such as peeled chicken breast, skinless chicken breast, frozen pigeon, Peking duck and frozen duck meat.

The shipment arrived at the Manila port from November to December 2025, Nepomuceno said.

The BOC said it would seek the help of the Bureau of Animal Industry to determine if the food items are still fit for human consumption.

“If the meat products are still safe to eat, we will donate these to people affected by calamities,” Nepomuceno said.

BOC district collector Rizalino Jose Torralba issued warrants of seizure and detention for the shipment for possible violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Food Safety Act of 2013.

Economic sabotage is also being eyed against the shipment’s consignee, Jourdaine Enterprise, as the aggregate value of the goods exceeds the P10 million threshold for large-scale agricultural smuggling, according to Nepomuceno.

The BOC will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the consignee.