The princess corals arrived at the Port of Cebu last January 3 from Zamboanga City. After no consignee presented documents, Customs collector Ricardo Belmonte said they decided to open the container van in the presence of BFAR officials.
The corals were intended to be made into fashion accessories for export, said BFAR information officer Lourdes Arciaga.
"Actually maglisod gyud mi og quantify kun pila ka millions of pesos ang mga princess corals pero this is a semi-fine corals nga kasagaran makit-an sa deep sea unya sa kadaghan niini akong tan-aw dako gyud kaayo ni ug nahimong kadaut sa environment," Arciaga said.
Belmonte yesterday issued the warrant of seizure proceedings and said they will immediately turn the corals over to BFAR for proper dispositions since auctioning it to the public is out of the question. - Ramil V. Ayuman/BRP