Enough to make you cry: P27.3-M onions smuggled

MANILA, Philippines - Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon yesterday filed charges against six traders and brokers for allegedly smuggling onions worth P27.3 million.

Charged were Maria Guia Alfonso, owner of Advanced Impex International Trading; Michael Galon Jovan, owner of Iana Enterprises; Raymundo Conge Rebozido, owner of Royal Halo Enterprises and brokers Vanessa Ocampo, Steve Salagade Semblante and Jason Ferrer.

Biazon said the case is important even though the amount involved seems small because it affects the livelihood of local farmers.

“We will not allow smugglers of agricultural products to put our local farmers in a very bad situation. We will extend the long arm of the law, wherever it will take us, if only to stop your illegal activities and to place you where you rightfully belong,” Biazon said.