P36-M halagang smuggled na sibuyas nasabat sa Misamis Oriental

MANILA, Philippines — Aabot sa 12 container ng smuggled agricultural products na nagkakahalaga ng P36 milyon ang nakumpiska ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) — Port of Cagayan de Oro sa Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental — ito habang nagtataasan ang presyo ng sibuyas sa lokal na merkado.

Huwebes nang mangyari ang naturang operasyon sa Mindanao International Container Terminal Port, ayon sa BOC ngayong Biyernes.

"The shipments from China were consigned to Frankie Trading Enterprises and Primex Export and Import Producer and declared as 'Spring Roll Patti' and 'Plain Churros' but were red and white onions," ayon sa BOC kanina. 

"Lawyer Elvira Cruz, the district port collector, issued Pre-Lodgement Control Orders (PLCOs) against the shipments upon receipt of derogatory information for possible misdeclaration of agricultural products."

Maglalabas na ng warrants of seizure and detention laban sa mga naturang kargamento para sa paglabag ng Section 1400 (misdeclareation of goods) at Section 117 (regulated importation) ng Republic Act 10863 o Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Maliban diyan, nalabag din daw ang RA 10845 o Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.

"Cruz said the Port of Cagayan de Oro was relentless in its efforts to curb agricultural smuggling in the country, especially in Northern Mindanao, as it greatly affects the local farming industry," dagdag pa ng Customs.

Ayon sa price monitoring ng Department of Agriculture ngayong araw, aabot sa P140/kilo ang presyo ng lokal na pulang sibuyas.

Sa kabila niyan, aabot naman sa P400/kilo ang halaga ng lokal na putong sibuyas at imported white onion kahapon. — James Relativo